Photos hby Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com

The Eureka Loggers and Hoopa Warriors both lost their opening round games in the North Coast Section volleyball playoffs on Tuesday night, ending good seasons for both programs.

The Loggers were seeded No. 6 in the Division-5 bracket and fell in four sets to Pinole Valley by a score of 26-24, 25-17, 17-25, 25-23 at Eureka High.

Hoopa was seeded No. 13 in the same bracket and fell in three sets at No. 4 Redwood Christian by a score of 25-23, 25-17, 25-19.

Tiarah Maualuga, who is one of last week’s Humboldt Sports Athletes of the Week, led the Eureka girls with 17 kills in the loss, while teammate Alena Battle finished with 12 kills and four blocks.

Baylie Battle also had a strong game for the hosts school and added 35 assists and four kills.

Afterwards, Eureka head coach Stephanie Napoleon paid tribute to the team’s seniors for the impact they had on the program.

“We will miss our four seniors next year,” she said of the class that includes Battle, Aimee Rogers, Samara Gaither and Giselle Salas. “Really thought we were going to go far in the playoff bracket, but Pinole Valley was a tough, scrappy team and they came to play.

“Hats off to them for making the trip up here and playtime so well.”

Gaither also had a good game for the Loggers and finished with six kills, two blocks and four aces, while Macy Perkins added six kills and four aces.

The Pinole Valley girls will now advance to play at No. 3 International in the bracket quarterfinals this weekend.

No stats were immediately available for Hoopa.

The NCS playoffs continue for three other local teams this week.

In the Division-6 bracket on Wednesday night, No. 6 St. Bernard’s will host No. 11 Anderson Valley and No. 10 Ferndale will play at No. 7 Point Arena.

Both of those matches are set for 7 pm.

On Saturday night in Division 4, No. 2 Arcata will host either No. 7 Encinal or No. 10 College Prep.

That match is also set for 7 p.m.