SACRAMENTO — Sacramento State released its 2024 indoor schedule today, which includes 30 regular season matches - 11 at home, 14 on the road, and five on a neutral floor.

By virtue of winning the Big Sky's regular season championship last season, the Hornets will host this year's Big Sky Tournament, which takes place Nov. 27-29 at the Nest.

Sacramento State, under the guidance of reigning Big Sky Coach of the Year Ruben Volta, finished last season 22-12 overall and 13-3 in the Big Sky. The Hornets were the top seed at last year's Big Sky Tournament, and wound up hosting the first two rounds of the National Invitational Volleyball Championship (NIVC).

Of the 30 regular season contests, 16 will come against Big Sky opposition. The season begins Aug. 30 when the team travels to San Luis Obispo to take on Cal Poly. A date with Arkansas in San Luis Obispo (Aug. 31) is followed by a road game at Saint Mary's on Sept. 3.

Of the team's 14 non-conference matchups, only three will be at home. Each of those will come at the Sacramento State Invitational (Sept. 5-7), when the Hornets host CSUN, New Mexico State and San Francisco, respectively, during the three-day event.

A matchup at rival UC Davis on Sept. 10 begins a season-long stretch of eight straight away from home. That includes four contests over three days (Sept. 12-14) in Michigan where the Hornets will play Saint Francis, Michigan, Oakland and Akron as part of a tournament co-hosted by Michigan and Oakland. That tournament marks the only time Sacramento State leaves the state of California during non-league.

The Hornets' fourth and final regular season tourney will come at the Central Cal Challenge, hosted by Fresno State (Sept. 20-22). At the three-day event, Sacramento State will take on CSU Bakersfield, Fresno State and Pacific, respectively.

The Big Sky will play the traditional Thursday-Saturday matchups during conference play, although the Hornets do play a pair of Friday contests (both against Portland State).

Of the Hornets' eight Big Sky home games, half will come almost immediately. Sacramento State will play four of its first five league matches at home, beginning with the Big Sky opener against Montana State on Sept. 26. After a date at Eastern Washington on the 28th, the Hornets will play three straight at home vs. Portland State, Northern Arizona and Northern Colorado in early October.

The Hornets will then play seven of their next nine on the road, before concluding the regular season at home vs. Idaho State on Nov. 21, and Weber State on Nov. 23. The Weber State match (7 p.m.) will be Senior Night.

The Big Sky is a 10-member league, and Sacramento State will play seven of those teams twice (Montana State, Eastern Washington, Portland State, Northern Arizona, Northern Colorado, Weber State, Idaho State). The Hornets will play two teams just once (Idaho, Montana). Weber State is the defending Big Sky Tournament champions.

Sacramento State returns 12 players from a year ago, including four starters - outside hitters Bridgette Smith and Ellie Tisko, rightside hitter Caitlin Volkmann, and setter Kate Doorn. Also returning are outside hitter Greta Davis (14) and setter Hailey Plugge (15) who also started nearly half the season's matches a year ago. Smith was the Big Sky MVP and honorable mention All-American, while Tisko was a second team all-conference selection.

The Hornets did lose a pair of first team all-Big Sky middle blockers (Kalani Hayes, Tiyanane Kamba-Griffin), as well as a second team libero (Caty Cordano).