LOS ANGELES – Kha Tara Steen had 13 kills and hit .476 as the Golden Eagles swept Humboldt State, 30-17, 30-22, 30-24, on Friday night in Arcata. This was Cal State L.A.'s seventh sweep of the season, as they improve to 7-2 overall, 3-1 in the CCAA. Humboldt State falls to 5-3, 2-2.
Game one was dominated by the Golden Eagles, who took the game's first eight points. Humboldt State was unable to recover, failing to muster more than three consecutive points at a time. Late in the game, Cal State L.A. would put together a six-point run that increased their lead over the Lumberjacks to 12, as they led 27-15. The Golden Eagles would go on to win three of the next five points and the game, 30-17.
Steen, who hit .800 and, along with Tanya White, recorded four kills, led the Golden Eagle offense in game one. Three of Steen's kills would come in the Golden Eagles' match-opening, eight-point run. As a team, Cal State L.A. notched 15 kills and hit .220 for the game.
In the second game, the Golden Eagles picked up where they left of, taking 11 of the first 12 points. Luana Cavalcanti scored two service aces, with Ashley Hardwick contributing one of her own, as Cal State L.A. took the 11-1 lead. The Golden Eagles' early lead paid off as Humboldt State was able to pull within four points of Cal State L.A., 20-24. Another Cavalcanti kill would start a Golden Eagle streak that would see them win six of the last eight points, winning the game, 30-22.
Taking advantage of two Humboldt State errors, the Golden Eagles started the third game with a 2-0 lead. However, the Lumberjacks would come back to tie it up, 8-8. Two Humboldt State errors and two Kha Tara Steen kills later, the Golden Eagles would find themselves leading, 12-8. The game would remain close until an Airess Padda kill and three of Humboldt State's 10 errors put the Golden Eagles up, 25-20. Cal State L.A. was able to hang on for the win as Isabella Camargo put the game, and the match, away, giving the Golden Eagles a game three victory, 20-24.
The Golden Eagles return home to the Eagles Nest next weekend with the annual Alumni Game taking place on Friday, September 15. CSU Monterey Bay comes to town the following night, as Cal State L.A. continues CCAA action on September 16. Both matches will begin at 7 pm.
