ARCATA, Calif. – In a nail-biting five-set match, Cal Poly Humboldt pulled off a stunning upset over No. 24-ranked Cal State San Bernardino, defeating the Coyotes 3-2 (23-25, 25-23, 25-20, 17-25, 15-8) at Lumberjack Arena. The victory marks Humboldt's first win over CSUSB in a decade, with the last triumph coming at home on October 1, 2014. With this win, Humboldt (7-8, 3-4 CCAA) surpasses its total win count from last season, continuing its strong start in conference play.

The match was a back-and-forth battle, with both teams exchanging sets before the Lumberjacks dominated the decisive fifth set. With the score tied 9-7, Humboldt surged ahead on a 5-1 run, capped off by a thunderous kill from Awelina Fakalata to seal the win and send the crowd into a frenzy.

"We were really disappointed after last weekend, and we knew we could play better," stated head coach Angela Spoja. "We wanted to defend our home court, and I'm really happy with our performance tonight. We had key plays from key players, and I couldn't be more pleased. San Bernardino is always a strong team, well-coached by Kim. When you're building a program, you look to the top teams, and when you start getting wins over them, it shows you're on the right track—and that's where we are right now. We still have work ahead of us, but this is a big win for our community, university, and student-athletes."

Key Performances
Fakalata shined as the standout of the night, delivering a season-high 26 kills (.232) along with 17 digs, marking her eighth double-double of the year. With tonight's performance, she now boasts 550 career kills. Her 26 kills also represent the second-highest single-match total of her career, trailing only her 29-kill performance against Chico State last season. Graysen Trupp and Madyn Cervellera also delivered in key moments, with Trupp posting 10 kills and three blocks, and Cervellera contributing 12 kills and 18 digs. Kyra Slavik orchestrated the offense with 49 assists, while also serving up three aces. Libero Sophia Spoja, was a force on serve receive, posting a career-high 57 receptions with only three receiving errors, providing a steady anchor for Humboldt's defense throughout the match.

Humboldt's defense played a pivotal role, matching CSUSB with 81 digs. The Lumberjacks' aggressive serving, highlighted by 10 aces, kept the Coyotes on their heels throughout the match.

CSUSB (8-6, 4-3 CCAA) was led by Ashley Robinson with 24 kills and 18 digs, but the Coyotes struggled in the final set, managing only six kills with a .105 hitting percentage. Humboldt, on the other hand, hit .333 in the fifth set, showcasing their clutch play.

Statistical Comparison
Humboldt outperformed San Bernardino in kills (63-56) and aces (10-4) while holding even in digs (81 each). Both teams battled through errors, but Humboldt's efficiency in critical moments proved the difference.

Looking Ahead
Cal Poly Humboldt will host second place San Francisco State (12-3, 6-1 CCAA) on Saturday in Lumberjack Arena at 5:00 PM. The Gators received votes this past week in the AVCA national poll. Saturday will be the Dig Pink Match. Humboldt is teaming up with the Side-Out Foundation to raise awareness for breast cancer. Come show your support and snag a FREE t-shirt!

For more information on Cal Poly Humboldt Volleyball, please visit humboldtathletics.com, download our mobile app, and follow us on all social media platforms. 

Free Regular Season Home Matches in Lumberjack Arena
Thanks to a sponsorship from Mortages with Oceana, Cal Poly Humboldt will have free admission to all 2024 regular-season home matches this fall.