ARCATA, Calif. – A strong start at home against Sonoma State wasn't enough for Humboldt State as it lost 3-1 (26-28, 25-13, 19-25, 17-25) Friday night in Lumberjack Arena.
 
HSU's set-receive game was hitting on all cylinders in the first set, but the home team wasn't able to hold on for the win. Alex Lolland recorded a kill late to give the Jacks set point, 25-24, and the Seawolves overcame the deficit and took the set with four of the next five points.
 
Sonoma State got out to a 4-1 lead in the second frame, and the Seawolves looked like they were focused following the tightly contested opening set. HSU rattled off eight of the next nine points and stole the momentum from the California Collegiate Athletic Association leaders. Janelle Ayala had another impressive match and recorded three consecutive kills to give the Green and Gold a 13-6 advantage. Kills by Lauren Reid and Lolland got HSU to set point and a bad set by the Seawolves gave the Jacks a 25-13 win.

"With the start that we're having, it is pretty clear the pressure is on the opponent at this point. Teams aren't going into matches with Humboldt thinking they are going to lose, and we need to take advantage of that mindset," said HSU Head Coach Kelly Wood. "We started out really strong. We outplayed Sonoma in the serve and pass in both the first and second sets. I was pleased with the way we rebounded in the second." 
 
Anita Eichenour opened the third set with a pair of kills before a Seawolves run put them up 6-2. Following seven ties Sonoma State used a 5-0 run to pull away for good.
 
Once again, a strong start energized the home crowd, but the pesky Seawolves rallied. Sonoma State overcame a 4-1 start for HSU behind five straight points fueled by a pair of Kelsey McIntire service aces. Eichenour helped the Jacks get within two points, 13-11, but HSU never caught up to Sonoma State. The Seawolves compiled a .391 hitting percentage in the fourth frame.
 
Ayala finished with 12 kills and a team-high seven blocks. Lolland was the Jacks offensive leader with 17 kills, while Jessica Lammers provided a team-best 28 assists.

 "We underperformed in tonight's fourth set," said Wood. "Our setting was a problem, but we got better tonight. We continue to improve and take steps in the right direction. San Francisco State is doing a lot of mixing with the lineups in search of their first conference win. We are optimistic, and we will be ready for the Gators tomorrow night."

HSU hosts San Francisco State Saturday night in Lumberjack Arena. The match is scheduled to start at 7 p.m.