ARCATA, Calif. – After a weekend in which the Humboldt State volleyball team had to endure an arduous travel schedule with four games in four days, the Jacks get to spend their final weekend at home honoring their seniors with two matches in Lumberjack Arena.

On Friday, the Jacks will take on CCAA-leading Cal State San Bernardino with a 7 p.m. start time and on Saturday, they will play host to Cal Poly Pomona, also at 7 p.m. The Coyotes are 17-7 overall and 13-3 in conference, and riding a six-game winning streak, while the Broncos are 12-12 with an 8-8 conference mark. The Jacks bring in a record of 3-19, 2-14 conference.

"This final weekend is all about our seniors who have devoted so much time and energy to this volleyball program," said Head Coach Kelly Wood. "They are such a committed group and a big part of the reason that this season has been as bearable as it has with the lack of success on the court. Those six seniors just keep coming in every day and remaining positive and focused and being a really great example for those other girls out there who are going to be up-and-coming. That's what this weekend is all about; playing for pride, and playing for those six seniors who will be playing their final match in Lumberjack Arena."

Sarah Shively, Jessica Lammers, Morgan Psalmonds, Janelle Ayala, Alex Lolland, and Nicole Bianchi are the seniors being honored this weekend. Lolland led the team in kills in each game of this past weekend's action, while Shively paced the squad in digs in three games with Bianchi leading in the other. Lammers had 25 assists against Sonoma State.

When asked what it will take for the squad to be successful in the very competitive CCAA in the coming years, Wood said having a full squad to practice in the spring would be instrumental. She pointed to the fact that the team will return eight freshmen as reason for optimism. The team doubled its numbers this year, and the experience gained by its newcomers will no doubt fuel its potential next year.

Wood said that the quick turnaround time in preparing her very green squad this year played out, "not so much mentally and emotionally because the girls really clicked and we had quality individuals on the team this year across the board, but just the physical aspect of it, getting on the same page in terms of how we're going to run our team on the court. We're going to have three-and-a-half or four months in the offseason to work together."

"It's going to be so much fun developing these girls throughout the spring season," said Wood. "There will be just a couple little pieces that we're looking at recruiting and talking to for the next year. For the most part, 80 percent of our team will be with us throughout spring and we're looking forward to that."

"We're remaining focused on this season, but we're telling them, be patient and get comfortable, we're going to develop, and the future will be bright for our program."

Regarding San Bernardino, Wood said her opponent was "extremely good. They're always very good, and they're big and strong, with a great setter. They're offensively powerful across the front line throughout six rotations and they will be a huge challenge for us."

Wood highlighted how the squad, with the division alignment of the CCAA, has not faced either of these foes yet this season.

"We're just going to go out and focus moreso on ourselves," said Wood. "We had some competitive moments last weekend. We were in every set Monday against Sonoma State, the first place team in the north. It was no easy task for them to beat us. So we're just going to do what we've been doing, just go out, have fun, and play for our seniors this weekend."