SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Santa Clara doubled up Sacramento State in kills (40-20) on the way to a three-set sweep of the Hornets (25-18, 25-15, 25-15) on Tuesday evening at the Leavey Center.

Santa Clara, which was playing its home opener, improved to 2-2 on the young season. Sacramento State was playing the first of four matches away from home this week, and dropped to 1-3 with the loss.

The Hornets have lost six straight in the series since their last win against Santa Clara in 2007.

In tonight's match, Santa Clara's defensive effort was sound, limiting Sacramento State to 20 kills, the team's lowest amount since totaling 19 kills at Portland State on Sept. 21, 2013. The Hornets were also limited to a .000 hitting percentage.

Sacramento State did have six aces, including four from Skyler Takeda, but it was not nearly enough against a Santa Clara team that finished with 40 kills and just 14 errors in 100 attacks (.260 hitting percentage).

The Hornets finished the match with 20 kills, 17 assists, six aces, 40 digs and six team blocks. Middle blocker Lana Brown led the Hornets with five blocks while outside hitter Mikaela Nocetti had a team-best 11 digs.

Sarah Davis had a team-high six kills while no other Hornet finished with more than three. Davis also had eight digs, while Ashtin Olin, Paige Swinney and Takeda finished with six.

For Santa Clara, Hgozi Nwabuzoh had a team-high 11 kills to go along with a .320 hitting percentage and match-best six blocks. Michelle Gajdka added 11 kills and Chloe Loreen 19 digs.

Sacramento State returns to action later in the week when the team plays three games over two days at the Denver Classic. The Hornets will play McNeese State on Friday at 2 p.m. PDT, followed by Saturday matchups with UC Santa Barbara and tourney host Denver.