SACRAMENTO -- Sacramento State used two set-altering runs, and held Northern Arizona to just 24 kills, on the way to a three-set sweep (25-21, 25-15, 25-18) of the Lumberjacks on Thursday evening.
The Hornets had 22 more kills (46-24), and limited NAU to a .027 hitting percentage. In fact, the Lumberjacks failed to hit better than .105 in any of the three sets. In addition, Sacramento State used a 10-0 run to open the second set, and a 9-0 run to take a 20-11 lead in the third set. The Hornets did not trail until early in the third frame.
The defense was on display all night as the Hornets had a season-high tying 14.0 blocks despite the match lasting just three sets. In addition, Sacramento State dug 56 balls, and never allowed NAU's offense to get comfortable.
The match was the Big Sky Conference opener for both teams, and the Hornets improved to 8-7 overall and 1-0 in league. Sacramento State was playing its conference opener at home for the first time since 2017. The Hornets improved to 6-3 this season in the Nest. NAU, which defeated Boise State two weeks ago, dropped to 3-9 overall and 0-1 in league.
The Hornets improved to 41-24 all-time against NAU, including a 27-2 mark when playing the Lumberjacks at home.
Outside hitter
Bridgette Smith led all players with 16 kills, libero
Caty Cordano had a match-best 17 digs, middle blocker
Kalani Hayes led everybody with seven blocks, and middle
Tiyanane Kamba-Griffin posted a match and career-best four aces.
Two Hornets had double-doubles in Smith (16 kills, 10 digs) and setter
Kate Doorn (13 assists, 10 digs). Cordano nearly missed her first career double-double as she tied her career high with eight assists.
Caitlin Volkmann posted seven kills, four blocks and a .462 hitting percentage,
Greta Davis had seven kills and six digs, and Kamba-Griffin posted a pair of kills and six blocks.
Ellie Tisko added seven kills,
Hailey Plugge 18 assists, and
Karlee Soderberg three blocks.
The Hornets return to the court on Saturday when they travel to Ogden for a matchup at Weber State. First serve is 1 p.m. PT.
