SACRAMENTO -- Junior libero Reese Ampi has been named the Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Week after helping the Hornets to a 3-1 home victory over Portland State.

The win allowed the Hornets (17-9, 10-4) to remain in a tie for second place in the Big Sky standings with just two matches left in the regular season. Sacramento State is one game out of first as it seeks its third straight Big Sky title (regular season in 2023, tournament in 2024).

A Sacramento State player has now earned Big Sky defensive, or offensive, player of the week accolades on nine occasions this season (five offensive, four defensive). Ampi also earned the award on Sept. 8.

Ampi had a huge impact on the team's four-set win over Portland State in the Hornets' lone match of the week. The Redding, Calif., native had a match-high 29 digs, good for a robust average of 7.25 digs per set. 

She was part of a Hornet defense that held Portland State to a .153 hitting percentage. Ampi's 29 digs were her third largest output of the season, and she posted at least five digs in every set. The 29 digs were also 18 more than any other Sacramento State player.

Ampi is averaging a team-best 4.26 digs per set overall, and 4.19 per set in conference play. She has combined for 60 digs in her last two matches, including 31 vs. Northern Colorado on Nov. 8.

The Hornets' final two matches of the regular season will come on the road - Wednesday at Eastern Washington (6 pm) and Friday at Idaho (5 pm). The Big Sky Tournament begins on Monday of next week with four quarterfinal matches.