POCATELLO, Idaho – Junior middle hitters Michelle Franz (11 kills, .556 hitting percentage, four blocks) and Lindsay Haupt (11 kills, .348 hitting percentage, eight blocks) combined for 22 kills and 12 blocks to lead Sacramento State to a three-game sweep (30-27, 30-22, 30-14) of Idaho State in a Big Sky Conference volleyball match Saturday evening at Reed Gym.With the victory, Sacramento State improved to 18-4 overall and 6-0 in the Big Sky. Each of the Hornets’ six victories over conference opposition have come via three-game sweeps, and each of the team’s last 10 wins overall have come in just three games. Sacramento State has now won six in a row (matching the team’s longest winning streak this season), and 12 of the last 13. With two more wins, the Hornets will record their 12th-consecutive season with at least 20 victories.
On a quest for their unprecedented 10th-consecutive Big Sky championship, Sacramento State’s only blemish during the last two months was a four-game loss at ninth-ranked Santa Clara. This year also marks the first time that Sacramento State has begun the conference season with six-straight wins since joining the league in 1996. The Hornets have now won four straight over Idaho State dating back to 2004, and improved to 20-2 all-time against the Bengals.
With the loss, Idaho State dropped to 8-13 overall and 4-4 in the Big Sky. The Bengals had won three of their last four conference matches prior to tonight’s loss.
Franz’s .556 hitting percentage led all players and Haupt’s eight blocks were a match high as the duo combined for 22 of the Hornets’ 55 kills. Joining Franz and Haupt in double-figure kills for Sacramento State was senior Atlee Hubbard who finished with 13 kills, 10 digs and four blocks.
Despite the match lasting just three games, Sacramento State totaled 13.5 team blocks as four players had at least four blocks comprised of Hubbard, Franz, Haupt and senior Leah Klemenhagen (seven kills, five blocks). Sacramento State limited Idaho State to a .064 hitting percentage, marking the sixth-straight opponent that has hit .134 or worse against the Hornets.
Four Sacramento State players had double figures in digs, comprised of senior Kristin Lutes (team-high 16), Hubbard, junior Jennifer Ferguson (six kills, 11 digs) and sophomore Rose Burke (28 assists, 10 digs).
Idaho State was led by Nikki Haven’s 12 kills, five blocks and .276 hitting percentage.
Sacramento State returns to action next week for road matches at Montana (Thursday, Oct. 12) and Montana State (Friday, Oct. 13). The Hornets do not return home until Oct. 19 when hosting Montana State.
