FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. -- After 422 days without a match, Sacramento State finally opened the 2020-21 season, but fell at Northern Arizona, 3-0 (25-15, 25-22, 25-19), on Sunday afternoon at the Rolle Activity Center.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Hornets' season, which was scheduled to start last August, was delayed five months. With no fans in the stands, and players and coaches wearing masks, both the Hornets and Lumberjacks were starting their seasons later than at any point during their program's respective histories.

Sacramento State (0-1) and Northern Arizona (1-0) will conclude their two-game series tomorrow in Flagstaff at 5 p.m. PST.

In a series dominated by the home team, NAU has now 12 straight against Sacramento State in Flagstaff. Conversely, the Hornets, who will not host NAU this season, have won eight straight against the Lumberjacks at Colberg Court.

Sacramento State started three freshmen in today's match - redshirt freshmen Karlee Soderberg and Kalani Hayes, and true freshman Bridgette Smith - and all four freshmen on the roster (including outside hitter Caitlin Volkmann) got substantial playing time. The Hornets were also playing today's match without senior middle blocker Cianna Andrews (injury) who was a second team all-Big Sky selection a year ago.

Northern Arizona, which never trailed in today's match, held comfortable advantages over the Hornets in kills (50-33) and hitting percentage (.357-.136). The Hornets outdug the Lumberjacks (45-44) and NAU had one more team block (6-5). Both teams combined for just four aces.

The four freshmen led the way in kills, accounting for 24 of the team's 33 kills. Hayes had six kills, two blocks and a .357 hitting percentage, Soderberg six kills, Smith six kills and four digs, and Volkmann six kills and three digs. Middle blocker Sarah Falk had four kills and team highs in hitting percentage (.429) and blocks (3).

Sacramento State ran a 6-2 offense today, and McKenna Smith had 12 assists and seven digs, and Ashtin Olin finished with 15 assists and five digs. Macey Hayden had three kills, four digs and a block, and libero Paige Swinney had a team-high 12 digs.

For NAU, Taylor Jacobsen, just a sophomore, had 18 kills, 13 digs, two aces and a .643 hitting percentage.

After Monday's match in Flagstaff, the Hornets will return home to play their home opener next weekend with matchups vs. Idaho State on Saturday at 6 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m.