ARCATA, Calif. – The Humboldt State volleyball team is not even a month into the season, but has already recorded a sweep of the newest California Collegiate Athletic Association team, Cal State San Marcos. The Lumberjacks (4-4, 2-2) evened their record both overall and in conference play after taking down San Marcos (3-9, 0-4) in straight sets (25-15, 25-17, 25-17) on Tuesday night.
 
"It feels very nice to be at home finally and to have earned the sweep in three," said Head Coach Kelly Wood. "Our team played really well tonight. We played really consistently and I'm very happy with the outcome."
 
In the home opener, the Jacks came out hot in the first set. HSU went up 5-1 and 10-4 to set the tone. Though CSUSM cut the lead down to three, at 14-11, Humboldt State quickly answered. The Green and Gold ended the set on an 8-2 run and held an opponent to 15 points or fewer for the first time in a CCAA match this season.
 
Another fast start fueled the Jacks in the second set. After dropping the opening point, HSU rattled off five consecutive to build a cushion. The lead grew to six on three separate occurrences, but it was back-to-back-to-back kills by Katherine Rifilato, Symone Hayden, and Kaitlyn Duwaway increased the lead to 23-15. The two sides traded off the remaining four points, giving HSU the two set lead heading into intermission.
 
The Cougars came out with a quick three points to open the final set, and built up a 9-4 lead forcing Humboldt to call a timeout. The words from Wood seemed to work and the Jacks scored five of the next six points. The Lumberjacks wouldn't see a lead in the set until the home side collected six consecutive points and went up 16-13. The Jacks closed the match on a 15-4 run and earned the victory.
 
Hayden was the only one in the match with double-digit kills (11) and Rifilato led all players with 20 assists. The Jacks looked much more confortable from the service line, recording 10 aces as opposed to only two from San Marcos.
 
"We played well for most of the match," said Wood. "That is what it is going to take for us. It was definitely a confidence booster for us to get this one in three."
 
The Lumberjacks do not have an opportunity to settle in at home for long. The team is back on the road for consecutive CCAA matches on Friday and Saturday. HSU travels to Stanislaus State first, and then has a quick turnaround with a match at Chico State the following night.