POCATELLO, Idaho -- True freshman
Keonahi'ilani Solaita posted season highs in kills (20), hitting percentage (.529) and digs (15) to lead Sacramento State to a 3-1 victory at Idaho State (25-17, 25-20, 20-25, 25-16) on Thursday evening at Reed Gym.
Solaita's big night sparked a Sacramento State offense that hit .301 with 62 kills in just 136 swings. In fact, the 62 kills were 17 more than Idaho State. Solaita could not be stopped, which included numerous kills from the back row. In the fourth set alone, she had seven kills without an error in eight attacks. The previous career best in kills for Solaita was 11, as she eclipsed that mark by nine this evening.
The trio of Solaita,
Victoria Marthaler (17) and
Ashlynn Archer (11) combined for 48 kills, and proved deadly against an Idaho State team that had been 3-1 at home in league play. Marthaler has now connected for 16+ kills in 11 straight matches, and Archer (.318) hit at least .300 for the 19th time this year.
Sacramento State won its fifth straight (longest win streak in two years) while improving to 14-8 overall and 7-3 in Big Sky Conference play. The Hornets remain in a tie for second place in the league standings (one game back of first) with six regular season matches remaining.
None of the four sets were all that close as the Hornets never trailed in both the second and fourth frames. Idaho State was limited to a .161 hitting percentage, and the Big Sky's best blocking team finished with just five blocks - its second lowest output of the season.
For the Hornets,
Skyler Gartin had five kills and a .625 hitting percentage,
Greta Davis finished with six kills and match-high four blocks, and
Abbey Kadillak had a career-best 21 digs. Kadillak played at libero tonight and was impressive filling in for the injured
Reese Ampi, who did not play tonight.
Amy Ito also missed the match with injury.
Setter
Kate Doorn finished with 52 assists (13.00 per set) to go along with seven digs and a pair of kills.
Mia Guevara added 11 digs.
Sacramento State is back in action on Saturday at Weber State. The Hornets and Wildcats will play at 5 p.m. PT.
