Sacramento State hit .336 as a team, the team’s third-highest output of the season, while limiting Portland State to just a .101 mark. With the victory, the Hornets improved to 13-5 overall and 3-1 in the Big Sky. In addition, Sacramento State is now 6-1 at home this season and improved its winning streak over Big Sky teams in regular-season home matches to 34 (dating back to the 1999 season). Portland State dropped to 8-7 and 2-2 in the conference.

The Hornets had just 11 errors in 113 total attacks and posted better numbers than Portland State in kills (49-35), hitting percentage, assists (47-32), digs (50-42) and team blocks (9-5). Sacramento State senior Sandra Bandimere led the Hornets in kills for the 15th time this season as the outside hitter finished with 12. Melcher’s eight kills came without an error as the junior also added a pair of blocks. Senior Emily Wilson finished with eight kills, a .353 hitting percentage and a match-high seven blocks.

Gamst’s six kills came without an error in 10 attacks, as the setter hit .750 earlier this season against Colgate, but had just three kills in that contest. Gamst is now hitting .366 over her last four matches to improve her season hitting percentage to .283. Senior Jackie Coudert, who transferred from Cal State Stanislaus prior to the season, posted Sacramento State career highs in kills (five) and digs (seven). Sophomore Kristin Lutes added a match-high 17 digs and improved her season total to a team-best 276 (4.52 per game).

Jessica Brodie led Portland State and all players with 14 kills while Sarah Sirianni posted a Viking-high 14 digs. Portland State had eight service errors, including three from Brodie.

Portland State’s largest lead of the night was 12-10 in the second game as Sacramento State led for the majority of the match. The Hornets led from start to finish in the first game and led for almost the entire third game (Portland State jumped out to a brief 1-0 lead).

Sacramento State returns to action this Saturday, Oct. 9, as the team welcomes Eastern Washington into the Hornets Nest for a 1 p.m. match. The Hornets have defeated the Eagles each of the last two seasons in the Big Sky Tournament championship match.