IRVINE, Calif. --
Victoria Marthaler led all players with 21 kills, and UC Irvine was held to a .137 hitting percentage as Sacramento State defeated the Anteaters, 3-1 (26-24, 22-25, 25-19, 25-19) on Saturday evening at Bren Events Center.
The Anteaters had 52 kills, but committed 29 errors in 168 attacks, and the .137 hitting percentage was the second lowest mark of the season against Sacramento State. In fact, UC Irvine did not hit above .200 in any of the four sets, and did not hit above .150 in three of the four.
After a slow start, Marthaler was unstoppable in the final two sets, registering eight kills in both the third and fourth frames. That includes eight kills in 14 swings during the final set. The junior outside hitter combined for 41 kills this week, including 20 in last night's 3-1 victory at UC San Diego.
The Hornets (9-8, 4-2) swept their first-ever Big West road trip, and moved into a six-way tie for second place in the league standings. Cal Poly remains undefeated and atop the Big West standings with a 6-0 record. Sacramento State has won three straight road matches, and will be back at home next week.
Middle blocker
Skyler Gartin had a huge match, finishing with nine kills, a .500 hitting percentage, and eight blocks. Her nine kills came without an error in 18 swings.
Mia Molnar had seven kills and five blocks, and
Nikola Gamlin finished with six kills.
Setter
Makenna Wiepert notched her team-high 10th double-double with 41 assists, three aces and 19 digs. Prior to this season, Wiepert, who transferred from UTSA, had never recorded a double-double.
Reese Ampi had a team-high 16 digs, and
Amy Ito a career-high 13 digs.
Charlee Lepp added eight kills and six digs, and
Keonahi'ilani Solaita three kills and nine digs.Â
Sacramento State will begin a three-match homestand next week with matchups on Thursday vs. Cal State Fullerton (7 p.m.), and Saturday vs. Long Beach State (12 p.m.).Â
NOTABLES
• The Hornets were playing the Anteaters in Irvine for the first time ever
• Next Saturday's match is the first of four Sacramento State games on campus, including women's soccer (1 p.m.), men's soccer (4 p.m.) and football (7 p.m.).
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