SACRAMENTO -- Another day, another tight match. Unfortunately for Sacramento State, it was Portland that outlasted the Hornets, 3-1 (25-22, 26-28, 25-17, 26-24), in the final round of Sacramento State Volleyball Invitational on Saturday afternoon at the Nest.
The Hornets finished the tournament with a 1-2 record, but could have just as easily been 3-0 at the two-day event. After beating Nevada in four sets in the opener, Sacramento State lost to Middle Tennessee last night in five sets (15-13 in the 5th) and then saw Portland squeak by today.
It didn't help matters that outside hitter
Bridgette Smith, who already had a career-high 22 kills, had to be pulled from today's match with an ankle injury in the fourth set and the Hornets holding an 11-6 lead. Sacramento State would eventually have three set points in the frame (24-21 lead), but could not capitalize. The Pilots finished the set on a 5-0 run to take the frame and match.
Portland finished the four-team tournament with a perfect 3-0 record, while Middle Tennessee was 2-1, Sacramento State 1-2, and Nevada 0-3. Hornet middle blocker
Kalani Hayes (1.77 kps, 1.23 bps, .404 hit%) was named to the all-tournament team.
Sacramento State had statistical advantages over Portland in kills (60-54), hitting percentage (.241-.224), assists (54-48), digs (62-60) and blocks (10.0-7.0). However, the Pilots had 11 aces, while the Hornets had three aces and 11 service errors. Seemingly every time Sacramento State started to make a run, a service error would hurt the momentum. The Hornets now have 34 service errors through three matches.
Smith's 22 kills surpassed her previous career high of 21, set on a pair of occasions. The junior outside hitter was one of the best players on the floor all afternoon as she hit .340 and also had 11 digs. Smith now has double-doubles in two of the first three matches of the season.
Karlee Soderberg had 10 kills, four blocks and a .304 hitting percentage, and finished the tournament with 2.31 kills and 0.85 blocks per set to go with a .333 hitting percentage. Four Hornets posted double figures in digs, comprised of
Caty Cordano (16),
Ashtin Olin (14),
Abbey Kadillak (11) and Smith. Olin also had four kills, 47 assists and three blocks. Cordano averaged 4.85 digs per set during the tournament.
Tiyanane Kamba-Griffin had six kills and a match-high seven blocks,
Caitlin Volkmann seven kills, and both Hayes and
Greta Davis had five kills.
The Hornets play twice next week, including a road matchup Wednesday at Saint Mary's (7 p.m.), and a home game vs. San Jose State on Saturday at 2 p.m.
