SACRAMENTO -- Sacramento State was limited to a .100 hitting percentage and had nine reception errors in a three-set loss (25-20, 26-24, 25-15) to Northern Arizona on Thursday evening at the Nest.

Playing its first home match in 26 days, Sacramento State dropped to 7-8 overall and 2-3 in Big Sky Conference play. Usually a very strong team at home, the Hornets were swept in the Nest by a Big Sky team for just the second time in seven years. In addition, Sacramento State had traditionally dominated Northern Arizona at home. Entering this evening, the Hornets were 25-1 all-time vs. the Lumberjacks inside the Nest.

Northern Arizona ended that streak with a bang, as the Lumberjacks limited the Hornets to just 30 kills, 26 assists and 46 digs. The Lumberjacks had also had nine aces and 10 team blocks. Sacramento State's 26 assists were a season low.

Northern Arizona, winners of four of the last five matches, improved to 6-8 overall and 4-1 in league play. The Lumberjacks were picked to finish second in the Big Sky preseason coaches poll.

Tonight was the conference home opener for the Hornets, and Sacramento State had played its previous six contests away from home. This evening also marked the beginning of a stretch that will see the team play seven of nine matches at home.

Kalani Hayes played well for the Hornets, finishing with 10 kills, two blocks and a .500 hitting percentage. She had just two errors in 16 total attacks, and both the kills and hitting percentage were team highs. Bridgette Smith, who had eight kills, 10 digs and three aces, saw her streak of five straight matches with double-figure kills come to an end. Michelle Taynton, who played at libero for the injured Caty Cordano, had a team-high 17 digs.

Caitlin Volkmann had five kills, and both Karlee Soderberg and Tiyanane Kamba-Griffin had three kills and three blocks. Ashtin Olin posted 17 assists, six digs and two blocks, and McKenna Smith added seven assists, two aces and five digs.

The Hornets return to action for a Saturday matinee at home vs. Southern Utah at 1 p.m. The Hornets are on the road next week, but then open a season-long five-match homestand that runs from Oct. 19-30.