SACRAMENTO -- Utah Valley had 17.0 team blocks and limited Sacramento State to a .180 hitting percentage on the way to a 3-1 victory (27-25, 25-22, 16-25, 25-20) over the Hornets on Thursday evening at the Nest.
The 17.0 blocks were the second most by a Hornet opponent this season, and had a big hand in Utah Valley pulling out the match. In fact, Sacramento State had 15 more kills (57-42) than Utah Valley, and both teams hit below .200 (UVU .197; SAC .180). The Hornets had a 20-15 lead in the first set, and had a set point at 25-24, but Utah Valley pulled out the frame and rode the momentum the rest of the way.
Sacramento State dropped to 10-10 overall and 5-4 in the Big West. Tonight marked the midway point of the conference season, and completed a first half stretch that saw the Hornets play seven of nine matches at home. The back half of the team's conference schedule will see Sacramento State play seven of its final nine on the road.
Utah Valley and Sacramento State are two of three brand new teams to the Big West this season (California Baptist is the other). The Wolverines were last year's Western Athletic Conference regular season and tournament champions. Sacramento State has yet to beat the Wolverines in the all-time series (0-3).
Hornet setter
Makenna Wiepert registered her 1,500th assist this evening. A transfer from UTSA, Wiepert had 799 assists in parts of three seasons at UTSA, and now has 737 this year at Sacramento State. Those 737 assists are also the most among all Big West players.
A number of career and season highs were set tonight by Hornet players:
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Victoria Marthaler had a season-high tying 23 kills, which were seven more than any other player in the match
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Skyler Gartin shattered her career high with 16 kills (previous best was 12) while also hitting .441
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Reese Ampi had a season-best 25 digs, the 15th career match in which the libero has posted 20+ digs
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Amy Ito had a career-high 13 digs
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Nikola Gamlin had nine kills, a .667 hitting percentage, and matched her career best with six blocks (four solos)
• Wiepert posted her 11th double-double with 44 assists and 15 digs
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Keonahi'ilani Solaita had eight kills and eight digs, narrowly missing her third career double-double
The Hornets and Wolverines are in the midst of a home and home over a three-day stretch that will see the teams play Saturday in Orem, Utah. Match time is 12 p.m. PT. The trip to Utah marks just the second and final time Sacramento State will travel outside of California this season.Â
NOTABLES
• Sacramento State is now 0-7 when hitting below .200 in a match
• The Hornets' final two home dates will be Nov. 5 s. UC Irvine, and Nov. 7 vs. UC San Diego
