ST. GEORGE, Utah -- Sacramento State held a 14-11 lead in the fifth set, and, one point away from victory, saw Utah Tech score five straight points to beat the Hornets, 3-2 (19-25, 25-23, 15-25, 25-23, 16-14), on Saturday afternoon at Burns Arena.

Sacramento State, which had dominant stretches throughout the match, had significant advantage in kills (70-59), hitting percentage (.273-.182), assists (66-53) and digs (75-67). 

Where it went wrong was the end of close sets. The Hornets held a 23-21 lead in the second set, but the Trailblazers ripped off four straight points. In the fifth, Sacramento State squandered three match points, and at 24-24, had what they thought was a point on an attack error by Utah Tech. However, the play went to review, and a touch was controversially seen by the officials giving the point to the Trailblazers instead. In the fourth set, the Hornets held a 19-18 lead, but let the slim advantage slip away.

Still, Sacramento State concluded a successful trip to Utah in which the team went 2-1, including wins over UC Riverside and Southern Utah yesterday. Utah Tech improved to 5-1 with the victory, and has won four straight. Prior to today's win, Utah Tech's first four victories came via three-set sweep.

Numerous Hornets set career highs in today's match:
• Outside hitter Victoria Marthaler posted a career-best 24 kills
• Libero Reese Ampi had a career-high 31 digs
• Setter Kate Doorn tallied a career-best 56 assists
• Defensive specialist Mia Guevara had a career-high 13 digs
• Freshman rightside hitter Charlee Lepp tallied a season-best seven kills

Doorn posted her 20th career double-double as she had 10 digs to go with her 56 assists and a career-high tying six blocks. Outside hitter Greta Davis finished one kill shy of her career best with 14, freshman Amy Ito posted a season-high tying three aces, and freshman Kelsey Heffner had five kills, a .333 hitting percentage and three blocks.

Middle blocker Ashlynn Archer finished one kill shy of her career best with 15 to go with a .500 hitting percentage and four blocks. She had 15 kills with just one error in 28 swings, and improved her season hitting percentage to .388. The senior has hit at least .300 in five of the Hornets' six matches this season.

Freshman Keonahi'ilani Solaita added a season-high six digs.

Sacramento State (2-4 overall) is back next week in Massachusetts where they play three matches over three days in Chestnut Hill - a tournament hosted by Boston College. The Hornets open with Dartmouth on Thursday at 4 p.m. PT, followed by Friday vs. Boston College at 3 p.m. PT, and Saturday vs. UAlbany at 8 a.m. PT.