CARSON, Calif. – The first two sets of the opening game of the D2 West Region Volleyball Showcase could have gone either way. Unfortunately for the Humboldt State volleyball team (3-2), those sets went in favor of Seattle Pacific (2-3), who won in straight sets (29-27, 28-26, 25-17).
 
In the opening set of the Showcase, the Jacks and Falcons battled to a thrilling, extra point first game. Following nine tie scores through 11-11, Seattle Pacific connected on four straight points to take a 15-11 lead, an advantage they held until the Green and Gold retied the score at 22 apiece. The Jacks took the lead for the first time since 10-9, when an SPU attack error followed an Alex Lolland kill to make it 27-26. The Falcons scored the set's final three points to take the game, 29-27.
 
HSU jumped out to an early lead in the second set, 10-6, as Alex Hasenstab and Nicole Bewley combined to block SPU's attack. SPU climbed back into the set and erased a 17-20 deficit by going ahead 23-22. Back-to-back kills by Symone Hayden gave the lead back to the Jacks, 24-23, before the Falcons were able to come out on top again, 28-26.
 
The third set was not as close as the first two end-to-end games. Humboldt State never led in the final set and, despite it being close at 15-14, fell to SPU 25-17.
 
The Jacks will have a quick turnaround with its first of two Friday games scheduled for 9:30 a.m. at the Torodome. Following the matchup with Azusa Pacific, HSU will play Montana State Billings at 5 p.m.