SACRAMENTO --
Bridgette Smith had a season-high tying 21 kills, and the Hornets limited Eastern Washington to an .086 hitting percentage on the way to a 3-1 victory over the Eagles. Scores were 25-15, 25-21, 23-25, 25-14.
With the victory, Sacramento State won its sixth straight while improving to 18-8 overall and 11-1 in the Big Sky Conference. With four matches left in the regular season, the Hornets could clinch at least a share of the Big Sky regular season championship on Saturday with a home victory over Idaho, and a Weber State loss to Idaho State. The team is seeking its first regular season title since 2017.
The Hornets' 11-1 record matches the best mark since the program joined the Big Sky in 1996. The 2017, 2006, 2005 and 1998 teams also accomplished the feat. Each of those teams finished the conference year with just one loss. Of the Hornets' 11 conference wins, only one has gone to five sets.
The 18 overall victories are the most since the 2017 team finished 26-10. In addition, Sacramento State is now 11-4 at home, and wraps up the home schedule on Saturday night vs. Idaho at 7 p.m. The regular season concludes with three matchups on the road.
The Hornets dominated the match statistically, holding large advantages over the Eagles in hitting percentage (.266-.086), kills (57-37), assists (56-34) and digs (70-49). Sacramento State also had 11.0 team blocks and the Eagles hit below .180 in all four sets. That included -.069 in the fourth.
Smith's 21 kills accompanied seven digs and a .314 hitting percentage. The Big Sky leader in kills and points per set, Smith strengthened her hold atop both those categories by averaging 5.25 kills per set this evening. Smith was one of four Hornet starters to hit better than .300, including
Caitlin Volkmann (10 kills, .333),
Kalani Hayes (9 kills, 4 blocks, .412) and
Tiyanane Kamba-Griffin (8 kills, 6 blocks, .467).
Kamba-Griffin committed her first error in seven matches, and saw her streak end at 64 consecutive swings without an error. She finished the match with eight kills and just one error in 15 attacks. Kamba-Griffin is now hitting a whopping .487 in conference play.
Libero
Caty Cordano had a match-high tying 19 digs,
Kate Doorn posted her eighth double-double with 27 assists and a career-high tying 13 digs, and
Abbey Kadillak had a season-best 12 digs.
Hailey Plugge added 23 assists and eight digs,
Karlee Soderberg posted five blocks, and
Ellie Tisko had six kills and three digs. Smith (2) and Plugge (2) accounted for four of the team's six aces.
Prior to Saturday's match, five Hornet seniors will be honored for their contributions to the program. Each of the five seniors has made a major impact on the success of Hornet Volleyball - Cordano, Hayes, Kamba-Griffin, Volkmann and Soderberg.
