SACRAMENTO --
Victoria Marthaler had 20 kills,
Makenna Wiepert 40 assists, and
Skyler Gartin a career-best 13 blocks to lead Sacramento State to a 3-2 victory (25-21, 24-26, 24-26, 25-14, 15-11) over Saint Mary's on Saturday afternoon at the Nest.
The Hornets completed the three-day Sacramento State Invitational with a perfect 3-0 record and were crowned tournament champions. Sacramento State beat Nevada (3-2) on Thursday, and Texas Tech (3-0) on Friday. Texas Tech finished the tournament with a 2-1 record, Saint Mary's was 1-2, and Nevada 0-3.
The Hornets had three all-tournament selections, including co-MVPs Wiepert and Marthaler. Gartin joined them on the all-tournament squad. Marthaler combined for 60 kills during the tournament, Wiepert had 40-plus assists in all three matches, and Gartin's 13 blocks in today's victory are tied for the third best mark in the Hornets' Div. I era.
In today's fifth set, Sacramento State never trailed. The Hornets and Gaels were tied at 5-5 and 6-6, but Sacramento State used a 6-1 run to put things away.
The Hornets had 11 more kills (62-51), and limited Saint Mary's to a .124 hitting percentage behind a season-best 17.0 team blocks. Six Sacramento State players had multiple blocks, comprised of Gartin (13),
Mia Molnar (5), Wiepert (4), Marthaler (4),
Charlee Lepp (2) and
Nikola Gamlin (2).
Keonahi'ilani Solaita posted her second career double-double (11 kills, 14 digs), Gamlin had a season-best 11 kills, Molnar had a season-high nine kills, Wiepert registered her fifth double-double of the season (40 assists, 10 digs),
Reese Ampi was one dig shy of her season best (20), Gartin's 13 blocks were a career high, and
Amy Ito had a season-high tying nine digs.
The Hornets return to action at the Boise State Invitational where they play three matches over three days. That includes host Boise State on Thursday, Eastern Washington on Friday, and another matchup with Saint Mary's on Saturday.
ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Victoria Marthaler (co-MVP) - Sacramento State
Makenna Wiepert (co-MVP) - Sacramento State
Skyler Gartin - Sacramento State
Sara Bowcutt - Texas Tech
Shelby Ignash - Texas Tech
Antonie Kelnarova - Saint Mary's
Paige Thies - Nevada
