With the victory, the Hornets improved to 14-5 overall and 4-1 in the Big Sky as they moved into a three-way tie for first place in the conference standings with Eastern Washington (9-6, 4-1) and Montana State (12-4, 4-1). Sacramento State, which defeated Eastern Washington each of the last two years in the Big Sky Tournament championship match, has now won eight of the last 11 meetings between the two teams. In addition, Sacramento State improved its winning streak to 35 matches in a row against conference competition in regular-season matches at home.

Although Eastern Washington outhit (.172-.155), outdug (67-64) and outblocked (7-6) Sacramento State, the Hornets took advantage of numerous Eagle errors, including eight service errors and 10 ball-handling errors (seven from setter Christina Albers). Sacramento State hit .250, .173 and .039 in games 1-3, respectively, but capitalized on Eastern Washington’s errors to win with relative ease.

Haupt, who was inserted into the match midway through the first game for senior Emily Wilson, had seven kills with just one error in 15 total attacks (.400 hitting percentage) while also adding four blocks (including a solo block to end the second game). Wilson left the match after being elbowed in the eye on a backswing from Bandimere and did not return.

Bandimere (12 kills, 17 digs) tallied her team-leading 12th double of the season, while Hubbard (10 kills, 10 digs) recorded her fourth double-double. Sophomore Kristin Lutes led all players with 20 digs as the libero is averaging 6.00 digs per game over her last four matches. Senior setter Stephanie Gamst added three kills, 38 assists and nine digs.

Eastern Washington was led by Lizzy Mellor’s 13 kills and 11 digs while Deanna Albers (17 digs) and Andrea Verdoljak (15 digs) also had double figures in digs.

In the first game, Sacramento State jumped out to a 7-2 lead and never trailed the rest of the way as EWU closed to within, 18-17, but could get no closer. Hubbard led all players in the game with seven kills as the sophomore had no errors in 12 attacks (.583).

In the second game, the Hornets used an 8-2 run to erase a 19-16 deficit and take a 24-21 lead. The Hornets never trailed again as they took advantage of two Eagle service errors and two ball-handling errors in the later stages of the game.

Eastern Washington jumped out to a 4-0 lead in game three, but Sacramento State went on a 23-12 run to take a commanding 23-16 lead. Eastern Washington could get no closer than within four points of the Hornets’ lead the rest of the way.

Sacramento State returns to action next week as the team travels to Weber State (Friday, Oct. 15) and Idaho State (Saturday, Oct. 16). The Hornets have defeated Idaho State 12-consecutive times dating back to the 1996 season, and own a 14-5 all-time record against Weber State.