DAVIS, Calif. -- Despite wins from Kalani Hayes/Bridgette Smith (No. 1) and Caty Cordano/Hailey Plugge (No. 5), Sacramento State dropped its season opener this evening to UC Davis, 3-2.

The Hornets are beginning their 11th season of beach volleyball, and will play four times this week, including three matches on Saturday in Santa Cruz. UC Davis improved to 4-0 overall, and 4-0 at home. The Aggies had not dropped a doubles match this year prior to tonight, blanking San Francisco (twice) and Pacific by 5-0 scores.

Hayes/Smith won their match at No. 1 by a 17-21, 21-14, 15-12 score, and Cordano/Plugge were victorious at No. 5 by a 21-12, 25-23 score. Hayes, Smith and Cordano are all returners while Plugge was a midyear transfer from Wichita State.

Sacramento State also used Greta Davis/Caitlin Volkmann at No. 2, Ellie Tisko/Ashlynn Archer at No. 3, and Tiyanane Kamba-Griffin/Carrie Crom at No. 4.

The Hornets return to action on Saturday when they play three times in Santa Cruz. Sacramento State will face Santa Clara at 9 a.m., Pacific at noon, and San Francisco at 3:30 p.m.