ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- The Cal Poly Humboldt Women's Volleyball team began their 2023 campaign on Thursday afternoon at the Seawolf Invitational in Anchorage, Alaska. The Lumberjacks drew Upper Iowa for their first game at the Alaska Airlines Center. Upper Iowa claimed a 3-1 victory (17-25, 25-17, 20-25, 20-25) over Humboldt but the 'Jacks saw some bright spots in senior
Lindsey McLaughlin, junior transfer
Kyra Slavik, and junior transfer
Awelina Fakalata.
McLaughlin posted 13 kills, eight digs, two service aces and two blocks, while the new outside hitter on the roster in Fakalata posted nearly the same stat line with 12 kills, nine digs, two aces and one block.
Kyra Slavik served up the outsides and recorded 31 assists to go along with nine digs, three kills, three service aces and two blocks.
"Every team needs a starting point," stated second year head coach
Angela Spoja. "I think despite the loss this is a great place to start. We needed to know what deficiencies we had and playing against each other for the past few weeks doesn't suffice. We will take a look tonight and make changes so we can be better tomorrow."
Humboldt got out to a slow start to begin the first set, falling behind 7-2. The 'Jacks fought back and tied it 8-8, then proceeded to keep it close for the next several points. However, Upper Iowa went on a run and scored five consecutive points to go up 21-13. The two teams traded points as the set closed out and Humboldt dropped set one with a score of 25-18.
The 'Jacks surged back in the second set and jumped out to an early lead. Despite Upper Iowa showing some fight and tieing the set at nine points a piece, Humboldt went on a 11-4 run that gave themselves some separation on the scoreboard. The 'Jacks grabbed the momentum and closed out the second set with a 25-17 win, evening the match at one set a piece.
The final two sets were identical in score, 20-25, in which Upper Iowa saw wins despite the Lumberjacks' tough battle. The final set saw Humboldt score five of the last seven points, and the 'Jacks will hope to carry that momentum into tomorrow's doubleheader against Alaska Fairbanks and Florida Tech on day two of the Seawolf Invitational.
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