BOX SCORE

ARCATA, Calif. — The Cal State Monterey Bay volleyball team has improved in many ways during the 2012 season, but the growth of the young team still hasn't translated to road success. Saturday night in Arcata, the Otters dropped their 12th consecutive California Collegiate Athletic Association road match and eighth this season with a 25-20, 18-25, 25-21, 21-25, 15-6 defeat at Humboldt State.

The loss put a damper on a record-setting night for CSUMB sophomore setter Kelsey Johnston, who collected 44 assists to break the CSUMB single-season record with 852 helpers. She passed the previous record of 844 set by Nicki Sanderson in 2006.

CSUMB (12-13, 6-11 CCAA) fell behind early in all five sets, but rallied to win the second and fourth sets. Humboldt rolled to leads of 9-2 and 11-3 to open the abbreviated fifth set, however, to drain any drama from the denouement.

The Otters got another big attacking night from sophomore outside hitter Julia Ashen, who led all players with 20 kills. It marked her fourth match with 20 or more kills this season. She added 17 digs for her 10th double-double.

CSUMB also got a season-high 13 kills from freshman middle blocker Summer Esseff and an 11-kill, 18-dig double-double from freshman outside hitter Jessica Malcolm. Her 18 digs were a season-high.

CSUMB will continue its five-match roadtrip next weekend when it plays at Cal State Stanislaus Friday night and Chico State Saturday night. The Otters return home to host Cal State San Bernardino and UC San Diego Nov. 16-17 to close the season.