SACRAMENTO -- Sacramento State won the first two sets with relative ease, and had a match point in the fourth set, but could not put away Middle Tennessee as the Blue Raiders put together an impressive comeback victory. The Hornets fell in five sets, 3-2 (14-25, 12-25, 25-21, 26-24, 15-13).

Tonight's match was part of the second round of the Sacramento State Invitational as the Hornets beat Nevada in four sets earlier today. The Hornets conclude the tournament tomorrow with a matchup vs. Portland at 1:30 p.m. A total of four matches took place this afternoon in the four-team tournament, and those results and tomorrow's schedule can be found by clicking here.

After Middle Tennessee (1-1) had been limited to hitting percentages of .000 and -.261 in the first two sets, the Blue Raiders continued to gain confidence and momentum in the final three sets, hitting .162, .265 and .310, respectively, over the final three frames.

The Hornets looked like they may squeak the victory out in the fourth set after a kill from Karlee Soderberg gave the team a 24-23 lead. However, Middle Tennessee scored each of the final three points of the frame, including a pair of kills by Kayla Henley during that spurt.

In the fifth set, Sacramento State's lone lead was 1-0 as Middle Tennessee took its largest advantage at 11-8. The Hornets would claw back to within, 13-14, but Kaylee Oscarson put the match away with a kill and a Blue Raider win.

Statistically, Sacramento State dominated the match, holding healthy advantages in kills (59-44), hitting percentage (.178-.113), assists (48-38), aces (11-9) and digs (81-74). However, Middle Tennessee had 12.0 team blocks and seemingly won every big point during the final two frames.

Bridgette Smith led the way for the Hornets with 20 kills, eight digs and four blocks. Kalani Hayes had 12 kills, four blocks and a team-best .476 hitting percentage. That included five kills in five swings during the fifth set. Soderberg posted 11 kills, seven digs and a .400 hitting percentage, and setter Ashtin Olin added four kills, 47 assists, 17 digs and three aces. Caty Cordano had her second straight 20+ dig match and finished with 22.

Caitlin Volkmann had eight kills and eight digs, Tiyanane Kamba-Griffin four kills and four blocks, and Abbey Kadillak had 10 digs.