Boxscore
ARCATA, Calif. — Powered by the top-hitting night of the year, Humboldt State volleyball coasted past Cal State East Bay, 3-0, on Thursday evening in Lumberjack Arena.
 
The Lumberjacks' return to the North Coast was a quick and successful one. HSU pounded the ball to a tune of .406 and avenged its early season loss to Cal State East Bay by scores of 25-21, 25-17 and 25-16.
 
HSU improved to 12-4 on the year and tied its 2013 season win total. The Jacks also moved to 9-3 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association play. The Pioneers (5-12) fell to 2-10 in the league and suffered its seven shutout in a row.
 
"Our offense had a very strong night," said HSU Head Coach Kelly Wood. "For us to hit over .400 as a team is excellent. I felt our offense came easy tonight."
 
After hitting only .222 in the opening set, the Jacks hit a blistering .515 in set two and ended the night with an even .500 in the final third set. The team recorded 49 kills with eight errors in 101 total attacks for a .406 hitting percentage, the highest rate it has recorded this season.
 
"We worked a lot on where we wanted to set and hit against Cal State East Bay. It is nice to tell the girls what to do and have them execute like they did," said Wood.
 
Symone Hayden, Ashley Owen and Kaitlyn Dunaway combined for a .532 attack percentage (35 kills and two errors on 62 total attacks) to pace the HSU offense. Hayden led the three Jacks with a match-high 13 kills and a .524 hitting percentage. Owen added 12 kills without an error, a .500 attack percentage and three blocks assists.
 
Dunaway completed the double-digit HSU kill producers. The junior had 10 kills without an error, hit .588, dug eight attacks and assisted on two blocks.
 
Nicole Bewley also had an efficient hitting night at .500. She lined seven kills and recorded five block assists.
 
"Our strong offensive night would not have been possible without our serve-receive and pass game. It was a total team effort," said the Jacks' coach.
 
Haley Biles finished with 16 digs. Kat Rifilato and Erin Mitchell handed out 22 set assists apiece, respectively.
 
Leading 5-4 in the opening set, HSU went on an 8-1 run to gain separation compliments of three Hayden kills for a 13-5 margin. The Pioneers pulled to within three points late, before Dunaway killed the set point, 25-21.
 
Cal State East Bay had its best start of the night to begin the second set. The visitors led 6-3 early, but HSU outscored them, 9-3 over the following 12 points, to turn the tide in its favor, 12-9. The Jacks continued their run the rest of the set for the 25-17 final.
 
Tied at eight, HSU netted the next three points topped by a Biles ace for an 11-8 score. Owen lined four kills in the Jacks' final seven points to complete the sweep, 25-16.
 
HSU looks to extend its win streak to five matches when it hosts Cal State Monterey Bay Saturday night starting at 7 p.m.