ARCATA, Calif. – Cal Poly Humboldt women's volleyball (2-19, 2-11 CCAA) delivered a statement victory on Thursday night, battling back from an 0-2 deficit to defeat Cal State Dominguez Hills in a dramatic five-set thriller, 3-2 (16-25, 21-25, 26-24, 25-23, 15-13), at Lumberjack Arena on Costume Night.
After a slow start in the opening two sets, the Lumberjacks found their rhythm in the third and refused to back down. Behind a balanced attack led by Graysen Trupp and Isabella Hartwig, Humboldt edged the Toros 26-24 in a tightly contested frame to stay alive. The 'Jacks defense came alive as well, highlighted by clutch digs from Sophia Spoja, Katelyn Wakefield, and Kendall Fenstermacher, and timely blocking from Hartwig.
Momentum stayed with Humboldt in the fourth set as the team continued to apply pressure from the service line and capitalize on extended rallies. Trupp and Phoebe Bland delivered key kills late in the frame to lift the Lumberjacks to a 25-23 win and force a decisive fifth set.
In a back-and-forth final frame, the 'Jacks and Toros traded points until Humboldt broke through late. A kill from Trupp tied it at 13-13 before Fenstermacher and Hartwig put down back-to-back kills to secure the 15-13 comeback victory.
Trupp led the way offensively with 14 kills and a career-high five service aces, while Hartwig added 11 kills and six total blocks. Bland contributed eight kills and three blocks, and Brielle Wilson anchored the offense with 42 assists, 16 digs, and eight kills in one of her most complete outings of the year. Spoja posted a match-high 25 digs, and Wakefield added 15 as the 'Jacks finished with 89 digs and 10 team blocks in one of their most complete performances of the season.
HUMBOLDT INDIVIDUAL HIGHLIGHTS
- Graysen Trupp: 14 kills, 5 aces (tied career-high)
- Isabella Hartwig: 11 kills, 6 total blocks (tied career-high)
- Phoebe Bland: 8 kills (career-high), 3 blocks
- Brielle Wilson: 42 assists (2nd-most in her career), 16 digs (career-high), 8 kills
- Sophia Spoja: 25 digs (career-high)
- Katelynn Wakefield: 15 digs (career-high)
- Kendall Fenstermacher: 7 kills (career-high), 11 digs
FINAL TEAM STATS
| Category |
Humboldt |
Dominguez Hills |
| Kills |
59 |
65 |
| Hitting % |
.201 |
.222 |
| Service Aces |
6 |
12 |
| Blocks |
10 |
5 |
| Digs |
89 |
97 |
UP NEXT
Cal Poly Humboldt returns to action on Saturday, Nov. 1, to face Cal State East Bay in Hayward at Pioneer Gymnasium. First serve is set for 2 p.m. PT.
For more information on Cal Poly Humboldt women's volleyball, visit humboldtathletics.com, download the Cal Poly Humboldt Athletics mobile app on Apple iOS or Google Android, and follow the Lumberjacks on social media:
