MOSCOW, Idaho -- Junior
Caitlin Volkmann had a career-high 20 kills, and Sacramento State hit .261, on the way to a 3-1 road victory at Idaho, 3-1 (18-25, 25-23, 25-14, 25-21), on Thursday evening at Memorial Gym.
The match marked the Big Sky Conference opener for both teams. In the process, the Hornets, who won their league-opening match for the first time since 2019, improved to 5-8 overall and 1-0 in league. Sacramento State has now defeated Idaho on five straight occasions dating back to 2018.
Tonight also put an end to a season-long run of eight straight matches away from home for Sacramento State, which will be back at home Saturday night vs. Idaho State.
Idaho jumped on the Hornets early, winning the first set handily, and holding a 21-19 lead in the second set. However, Sacramento State closed the second fame on a 6-2 run, and never looked back as the team was not threatened in the third set. In the fourth, the Hornets broke a 20-20 tie by closing on a 5-1 run to snatch the victory.
Volkmann's career-best 20 kills accompanied a season-high .594 hitting percentage as the outside hitter had just one error in 32 swings. Fellow outside hitter
Bridgette Smith had 17 kills, eight digs, three blocks and two aces, as the two outside hitters combined for 37 of the Hornets' 58 kills.
Kalani Hayes had nine kills and three blocks, and setter
Ashtin Olin finished with 45 assists and 16 digs. The double-double was her seventh of the season, and the 45 assists were two shy of a season best.
Caty Cordano had a match-high 18 digs and
Ellie Tisko finished with two aces and five digs. Middle blocker
Tiyanane Kamba-Griffin had three kills and a team-high four blocks.
Greta Davis had three kills and three digs,
Ashlynn Archer two kills in two swings, and
Abbey Kadillak had five digs.
The Hornets return to action on Saturday night for their Big Sky home opener vs. Idaho State at 7 p.m. Saturday is Kids Night, where kids will receive a free autograph poster, and the entire Sacramento State team will sign autographs after the match.
