Opponent Notes
Dominican struggled last year, only grabbing one victory on the season in a close 3-2 result against Chaminade. Fellow California Collegiate Athletic Association foes for the Jacks—Cal State Dominguez Hills, Cal State L.A., Cal State San Bernardino and Chico State—faced the Penguins early in the year at the Coyote Classic and claimed 3-0 set sweeps over Dominican. The Penguins are looking to build upon the lessons they learned from the 2011 season as they face Chico State before the host HSU Jacks.
Cal Baptist is in its second year of NCAA Div. II and is already making waves in the preseason. Senior opposite hitter Ingrid Carmona was named the PacWest Preseason Player of the Year after earning All-PacWest first team honors, as well as being named PacWest Newcomer of the Year. With Carmona's talents, CBU finished 26-10 overall, claiming the National Christian College Athletic Association Championships.
Holy Names finished with a 16-10 record last season. The Hawks started the season off in a 5-0 slump before overtaking San Diego Christian College 3-0. Head coach Dwight Combs hopes to have a better start on the fresh new season.
Lumberjack Notes
What Humboldt State lacks in numbers, it makes up for it in enthusiasm. Head Coach Sue Woodstra and her team are ready and eager to get the season going.
"We're excited to play!" said Woodstra. "The great thing about this group is they are going to compete their butts off. Right now, they just can't wait to get out on the court and compete. I have a feeling that's what it'll be like all year, competing non-stop."
With an even mix of newcomers and returners, a challenge this season has been trying to get everyone on the same page, but Woodstra is encouraged by how well her players have meshed together.
"We're clicking well as a team," said Woodstra. "I think we have really good leadership on the team, and it's not just one person. As a group, we're understanding about working together and what it takes to be successful."
Injury Update
Freshman
Symone Hayden is rehabbing a previous knee injury and is currently out indefinitely ...
Channel Washington was a concern leading up to this week's competition, but is cleared to play.
HSU Coaching Staff
Woodstra enters her 10th season at the helm of the volleyball team, hoping to build on last year's 8-18 finish. Woodstra began her tenure as the Lumberjacks head coach in 2002, and has since compiled a 36-117 record with the Lumberjacks.
Two new coaches join Woodstra on the bench and at practice to help make the Jacks a bigger threat in the CCAA. Chad Nelson takes on the assistant coach position after long-time assistant James Kealilio stepped down. Nelson brings coaching experience at the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I and Division III levels, as well as National Christian College Athletic Association playing and coaching experience. Prior to Humboldt State, Nelson coached at the University of Iowa, Illinois State, Illinois College and his alma mater Lincoln Christian University.
Jason Crowley makes his NCAA coaching debut as a volunteer assistant coach. Previously, Crowley coached the HSU men's club volleyball program for two years. Originally from Chula Vista, Crowley played volleyball at Grossmont College in San Diego and was an All-California Interscholastic Federation first team selection in high school.
Woodstra's Words
"One thing I'm concerned about this year is how many new people we have with our group. We keep working on getting everyone up to speed. ... We're taking it one match at a time. It's too tough to look beyond the next match and doesn't do you any good. ... It's always good to start the season at home. It definitely helps. We get enough of the road warrior feeling during the season so it's nice to stay in our own beds a little longer. ... The rhythm of the season is going to be hard for us this year. When we're home, we play Thursdays and Saturdays, but on the road we play Fridays and Saturdays. We'll see how that goes."
