Sophomore Emily Wilson

Wilson shattered her previous career of 13 kills, set earlier this season at Northern Arizona. The middle hitter also led the Hornets with a .441 hitting percentage, committing just four errors in 34 total attacks. Sacramento State hit .221 for the match as senior Jayme Wright (15) and junior Kazmiera Imrie (10) also chipped in with double-figure kills.

With the victory, Sacramento State won its third in a row and improved its record to 20-9 overall and 9-2 in the Big Sky. The victory also marked the Hornets’ eighth-consecutive 20-win season. The Hornets closed to within a half game of first-place Eastern Washington (9-1) in the Big Sky standings with three matches to play. Sacramento State is trying to become the first team in conference history to win six-straight regular-season championships.

Montana dropped its 11th-straight match while falling to 7-16 overall and 1-11 in the Big Sky. The Grizzlies hit .246 in the match, but committed nine service errors including two in the latter stages of game three. Sacramento State led Montana in kills (59-52) and total attempts (149-130).

Imrie, who hit .348 in the match, tallied her second double-double of the season as the middle hitter had a team-high tying 11 digs to go along with 10 kills. Junior setter Lisa Beauchene finished with seven kills, 43 assists, 11 digs and a .313 hitting percentage. Wilson and Imrie each led the team with three blocks.

Sacramento State hosts third-place Montana State on Saturday, Nov. 9, at 7 p.m., while Eastern Washington travels to Idaho State (Nov. 8) and Weber State (Nov. 9). The Hornets and Eagles square off in Cheney, Wash., next Friday, Nov. 15. That match will likely be for the conference championship.

Saturday’s contest against Montana State will also be Senior Night, as seniors Trina Book, Loretta Coffman and Wright will be honored prior to the contest for their contributions to the program.