MISSOULA, Mont. -- Sacramento State posted double figures in team blocks (10), but it was not nearly enough in a three-set loss (25-23, 25-17, 25-21) to Montana on Saturday evening at Dahlberg Arena.

The Hornets, who are at the midway point of the Big Sky Conference season, dropped to 8-10 overall and 3-5 in league. Sacramento State has played six of its first eight conference matches on the road, but that will flip in the second half. The Hornets will now play six of their final eight league matchups at home, beginning next week on Tuesday vs. Portland State.

Montana improved to 7-11 overall and 2-6 in conference. Entering this evening's match, the Hornets had won four straight in the series, including a pair of 3-1 victories in Missoula last spring.

For the first time all season, Sacramento State was held to zero aces. In fact, the Hornets had posted at least three aces in every match until this evening. In addition, the Hornets were limited to 37 kills, 39 digs and a .184 hitting percentage. Montana hit .243 with 44 kills. Sacramento State did post double figures in blocks for the 10th time this year, and is now 7-3 on those occasions.

The Hornets' best chance came in the first set when a combo block from Karlee Soderberg and Cianna Andrews gave the team a 22-20 lead. However, Montana closed on a 5-1 run to take the set and the momentum. Sacramento State did jump out to an 8-4 lead in the third, but that advantage was short lived.

Bridgette Smith led the Hornets with 12 kills and seven digs. No other Sacramento State player finished with more than six kills. Six Hornets posted at least two blocks, including Tiyanane Kamba-Griffin's four kills, four blocks and team-high .500 hitting percentage. Andrews added six kills and four blocks, and Kalani Hayes three kills and four stuffs.

Setter Ashtin Olin had team highs in assists (17) and digs (12) while Michelle Taynton finished with 11 digs. Sacramento State used 13 different players in tonight's match, as Caitlin Volkmann had five kills and two blocks, Ellie Tisko two kills and two blocks, Soderberg two blocks, and McKenna Smith 12 assists and six digs. Macey Hayden added a pair of kills.

Sacramento State returns to action for three home games next week, including Tuesday vs. Portland State (7 p.m.), Thursday vs. Northern Colorado (7 p.m.) and Saturday against Boise State (12 p.m.). The matchup with Boise State is the Hornets' final non-conference match of the season.