SACRAMENTO -- Victoria Marthaler (15), Ashlynn Archer (14) and Keonahi'ilani Solaita (8) combined for 37 of the Hornets' 46 kills on the way to a three-set sweep of CSU Bakersfield (27-25, 26-24, 25-23) on Thursday evening at the Nest.

All three sets were tight. The Hornets saved a set point and closed the first frame on a 3-0 run, overcame a late Roadrunner rally to win the second set on a Marthaler kill, and closed the third set on an 8-2 run. 

Winners of five of the last seven matches, Sacramento State (5-5 overall) began the Central Cal Challenge in winning fashion. The Hornets are hosting the three-day event which features CSU Bakersfield, Pacific and Fresno State. Pacific defeated Fresno State in today's first matchup by a 3-0 score.

Each team will play three straight days, and the schedule continues tomorrow with CSU Bakersfield taking on Fresno State at 4 p.m., followed by the Hornets vs. Pacific at 7 p.m. This is the fourth straight year these same four teams have played the Central Cal Challenge, and the first season Sacramento State has been the host.

The Hornets hit .314 with 46 kills and just eight errors in 121 swings. The team hit over .300 for the third time this season. Leading the way was Archer, who had 14 kills with a .667 hitting percentage (14-0-21). The middle blocker has now hit at least .500 in five straight matches, and is hitting a very healthy .469 this season.

Marthaler has led the Hornets in kills in eight of 10 matches this season, and her 15 kills were a match high. Solaita, a true freshman, had a season-high eight kills without an error in 28 swings, and setter Kate Doorn notched fourth double-double of the season with 30 assists and 14 digs. 

Four Hornets had at least three blocks, including Kelsey Heffner (4 kills, 4 blocks), Greta Davis (4 digs, 4 blocks), Archer (4 blocks) and Marthaler (3 blocks). Reese Ampi has now posted double digits in digs in every match this season as she finished with 12.

The tournament marks the final non-conference matches of the season for the Hornets. After playing Pacific tomorrow, Sacramento State will face Fresno State on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. The Hornets begin Big Sky Conference play on Thursday of next week at Montana.