Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – The Eureka girls won Tuesday night’s match in straight sets.

The Eureka Loggers did one of their rivals a big favor on Tuesday night.

With a straight-sets win over the Del Norte Warriors in their final conference volleyball match, the Loggers ensured that the Arcata Tigers would be crowned outright champions of the Big 5.

The Tigers, who had a bye on Tuesday, had secured at least a share of this year’s championship after closing out conference play last week with a record of 7-1.

But the Warriors, who came into Tuesday’s match with just one Big 5 loss, had a chance to share the championship with a win at Eureka.

However, it wasn’t to be as the home team came out fired up for the game in front of a packed student section on senior night and during homecoming week.

“The gym was electric tonight,” said Eureka head coach Stephanie Napoleon, whose team won 25-21, 25-13, 25-21. “We had a big crowd of family friends and the student section all dressed in flannel, and our team brought it.

“You could tell they really wanted it tonight.”

As she has been doing all season long, Eureka sophomore Tiarah Maualuga dominated with another strong all-around game, finishing with 12 kills, three blocks, eight digs and five aces.

“Tiarah Maualuga was once again a force at the net, on the service line and in the back row,” Napoleon said. 

Alena Battle also continued to impress and finished with 11 kills and three blocks, while Baylie Battle added 25 assists and three aces.

The Arcata girls celebrate their conference championship after watching the end of the Eureka game on Tuesday night …

Samara Gaither also a big night in the win and finished with six kills, three blocks and three aces, while Giselle Salas had two kills and two aces.

And that wasn’t all for the victorious Loggers.

“Eddy Hale and Aimee Rogers kept the passes on point to Baylie, who set us up for the kills tonight,” Napoleon said. 

With the win, the Loggers close out conference play with a record of 5-3 and split the Big 5 series with the Warriors, who closed out 6-2.

Now it’s on to the playoffs for the Tigers, Warriors and Loggers, with the North Coast Section brackets set to be announced this weekend.

“It was a night we will never forget,” Napoleon added. “I’m so proud of them.”

With the conference championship secured, the Tigers will receive the Big 5’s guaranteed postseason berth and a home game to open next week’s playoff tournament.

The Eureka JVs also won their match in straight sets to round out a good night for the home team on Tuesday.