MONMOUTH, Ore. — Humboldt State fell twice at the Phoneix Inn GNAC Conference Challenge volleyball tournament, falling to Central Washington 26-24, 25-21, 25-8, and falling to Alaska Anchorage, 24-26, 25-20, 25-14, 16-25, 15-6.
The pair of losses left the Jacks winless at 0-4, but their potential showed through in the loss to No. 24 nationally ranked Alaska Anchorage. HSU won its first two sets of the season, pushing the Seawolves to five before falling.
"We're just a little young to be able to get over the hump in that fifth game," HSU head coach Sue Woodstra said. "This was a very tough tournament, but we're coming out of it with a better idea of who will fit in where and how we can get better."
HSU established itself as a threat early against Anchorage, stringing together five straight points and take a 16-13 lead on Oceana Matsubu's service ace. The Seawolves kept it close throughout, but the Jacks surged to the win by scoring six of the final seven points.
Ten team blocks helped the Jacks earn their win in the fourth set. Allison Drobish accumulated six block assists and Taylor Manuel had four in the match to lead HSU's defense.
Oceana Matsubu was Humboldt's primary offensive forced, putting down a team-high 11 kills. She also paced the Lumberjacks with 14 digs, while Manuel contributed four service aces.
Humboldt State's first match of the day featured a fierce first set in which neither team could pull away from the other. Humboldt State held set point at 24-23 after a CWU attack error, but the Wildcats tied it on Kady Try's kill. Central scored the next two points to finally prevail, 26-24, on an HSU error.
The second set equally tight until the score hit the late teens. With the score tied at 16-16, the Wildcats reeled off five straight points, including two service aces, to take control.
The Wildcats rolled through the third set, never trailing after the Jacks held a 3-2 lead at the onset.
Oceana Matsubu had 10 kills to pace the offense. Jo Arzadon displayed her versatility, achieving team highs in assists (18), digs (7) and block assists (3).
Central Washington def. Humboldt State 26-24,25-21,25-8
Humboldt State (Kills-aces-blocks) - MATSUBU, Oceana 10-1-1;
DUGAN, Caitlin 5-0-0; KROEKER, Toni 3-0-0; ARZADON, Joliann 2-1-3;
MANUEL, Taylor 2-1-1; DROBISH, Allison 2-1-2; 19 1-0-0; EATON, Noel
0-0-1; FERGUSON, Brooke 0-1-0; Totals 25-5-5.0. (Assists) - ARZADON,
Joliann 18. (Dig leaders) - DUGAN, Caitlin 8; ARZADON, Joliann 7
Central Washington (Kills-aces-blocks) - Try,Kady 19-0-1;
Hjellum,Marcy 7-2-0; Smith,Erin 6-0-2; Gregory,Bri 4-2-1; Mayer,Molly
4-0-2; Offutt,Jordan 2-0-0; Ryan,Meg 1-0-0; Carini,Meg 0-1-0;
Marble,Carlee 0-1-0; Totals 43-6-4.0. (Assists) - Marble,Carlee 34.
(Dig leaders) - Vea,Brandie 12; Try,Kady 10
Alaska Anchorage def. Humboldt State 24-26,25-20,25-14,19-25,15-6
Alaska Anchorage (2-2) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Moss,McKenzie
14-2-2; Burton,Robyn 11-0-3; Golden,Lee 9-0-3; Matthisen,Jackie 8-3-1;
McWilliams,Leah 5-0-7; Borowikow,Marie 5-0-5; Johansen,Siobhan 0-2-0;
Viotto,Nikkie 0-4-0; Haught,Quincy 0-2-0; Totals 52-13-11.5. (Assists)
- Aukusitino,Adriana 25; Johansen,Siobhan 19. (Dig leaders) -
Matthisen,Jackie 23; Viotto,Nikkie 20; Moss,McKenzie 13;
Aukusitino,Adriana 12
Humboldt State (0-4) (Kills-aces-blocks) - MATSUBU, Oceana
11-2-2; MANUEL, Taylor 5-4-4; EATON, Noel 4-1-3; DROBISH, Allison
4-0-6; DUGAN, Caitlin 4-0-0; NEALE, Ashley 3-0-2; ARZADON, Joliann
2-2-2; Totals 33-9-10.0. (Assists) - ARZADON, Joliann 27. (Dig
leaders) - FERGUSON, Brooke 20; MATSUBU, Oceana 14; MANUEL, Taylor 9;
ARZADON, Joliann 8
Site: Monmouth, Ore. (New PE Building)