The loss was the worst of the season for Sacramento State as the Hornets tallied a season-low 61 points over three games. The defeat also marked just the second time all season that Sacramento State has been swept (Nevada). The Hornets, who were playing in just their second Big Sky match of the year, dropped to 11-5 and 1-1 in the conference.

Montana State improved to 10-4 and 2-1 in the Big Sky as the Bobcats snapped a four-match losing streak dating back to 2002 against the Hornets. MSU improved to 4-1 at home and has now defeated Sacramento State four times in the last five years in Bozeman, Mont.

Sacramento State posted season lows in kills (34), assists (30) and team blocks (four). The Hornets were one dig (44) shy of their season low as the team had entered the match ranked 13th in the nation in digs per game.

Malyurek’s 13 kills accompanied a .355 hitting percentage as she also had 12 digs. Kim Stonehouse added 12 kills for Montana State, which hit .228 and had 14 more kills than Sacramento State and 21 more digs.

Sacramento State was led by senior Sandra Bandimere’s 10 kills as she was the only Hornet with more than six. Sophomore Kristin Lutes tallied a match-high 16 digs, but also had six receiving errors, easily her highest total of the season.

Montana State tallied 11 service aces, including six from Megan Zanto, three from Kandice Kelly and two more from Kamber Kelly.

Junior Shannon Arts (four kills, .300) was the only Hornet to hit above .250 as Sacramento State had 24 attack errors to go along with 34 kills.

The Hornets look to rebound tomorrow (Saturday, Oct. 2) as the team travels to Missoula, Mont., to take on Montana at 6 p.m. PST.