FAIRBANKS, Alaska -- Senior Sandra Bandimere tallied a season-high 21 kills – and recorded her 1,000th career kill – to lead Sacramento State to a 3-0 (30-19, 30-17, 30-27) victory over host Alaska-Fairbanks in the third and final match of the Nanook Volleyball Classic Saturday evening at the Patty Center.With the victory, the Hornets were crowned champions of the tournament by virtue of their 3-0 record. Sacramento State, which swept all three opponents during the tournament, also defeated UMKC (Missouri-Kansas City) and Colgate. In addition, the Hornets improved to 3-1 overall this season, which matches the team’s best record after four matches in the last eight years (the 2002 squad also began the season at 3-1).
Bandimere’s 21 kills also included a .419 hitting percentage as the team captain had just three errors in 43 attacks. Bandimere was named tournament MVP as she posted averages of 3.89 kills and 3.33 digs per match to go along with a .406 hitting percentage during the three-match tournament. The Roseville, Calif., native also become just the 12th player in Sacramento State history to record 1,000 career kills as she has now amassed 1,010 during her four years with the program.
Sacramento State seniors Stephanie Gamst and Emily Wilson were also named to the all-tournament team. Gamst averaged 11.56 assists and 2.22 digs per game during the tournament while Wilson averaged 3.38 kills and 1.38 blocks per game to go along with a .431 hitting percentage over three matches.
Bandimere also had 14 digs in the match to notch her team-best third double-double (kills and digs) of the season. Wilson added 10 kills and a match-high six blocks to round out the Hornets with double figures in kills. Sacramento State hit .303 during the match while limiting Alaska-Fairbanks to a .063 mark. The Hornets had 58 digs, including a match-high 15 from sophomore Kristin Lutes and 12 from junior Mallory Hook.
Alaska-Fairbanks was led by Mallory Bergstrom’s 13 kills while Crystal Wheelock had a team-high 14 digs.
Sacramento State returns to action next week for four matches, including the home opener on Tuesday, Sept. 7, against San Francisco at 7 p.m. The team then travels to San Luis Obispo, Calif., to take part in the Cal Poly Invitational on Friday-Saturday, Sept. 10-11. The Hornets will take on host Cal Poly on Friday, and Notre Dame and Fresno State on Saturday.
