With the victory, the Hornets concluded the season-opening tournament with a 3-1 record, knocking off Texas Tech, UTEP and Eastern Michigan while falling to New Mexico State. Both Sacramento State and New Mexico State are receiving votes in the top 25.

The Hornets’ 3-1 record matches the team’s best start since the 1995 squad opened the year with a 4-0 record. The Hornets limited their opposition to a miniscule .120 hitting percentage during the tournament while averaging 18.21 digs per game.

Against Eastern Michigan, the Hornets dominated in most statistical categories, including kills (50-38), hitting percentage (.207-.088), assists (47-36) and aces (8-1). In fact, the Eagles’ largest lead of the entire contest was two points. The Hornets had comfortable leads near the end of each of the three games during the match.

Roland’s 16 kills came in a match where no other player on either team had more than nine kills. Roland, who missed 13 contests last season with a broken left (non-hitting) clavicle, has now led Sacramento State in kills in three of the team’s first four matches of the season.

Joining Roland in Sacramento State’s attack were junior Michelle Franz (nine kills, .375 hitting percentage), senior Atlee Hubbard (eight kills, match-high 17 digs), freshman Anna Schoener (seven kills), junior Lindsay Haupt (six kills, match-high seven blocks) and senior Kristin Lutes (15 digs). Sophomore setter Rose Burke led all players with three aces and now has a team-best seven this season. Both Haupt and Hubbard were named to the all-tournament team for their efforts.

Eastern Michigan was led by Becky Reenders’ nine kills while Ashley Cudney led the Eagles with 16 digs.

Sacramento State returns to action next weekend as the team competes in the Arkansas Invitational in Fayetteville, Ark. The Hornets will take on host Arkansas on Friday, Aug. 31, and both Southeast Missouri State and Stephen F. Austin on Saturday, Sept. 1.