POCATELLO, Idaho -- Five Bengals tallied double figures in kills – led by Nikki Randall''s 17 – as Idaho State snapped a 15-match losing streak against Sacramento State and beat the Hornets, 3-1 (32-30, 30-24, 27-30, 30-26), in a Big Sky Conference volleyball match Saturday evening at Reed Gym.The win marked the first for Idaho State over Sacramento State since the 1996 season as the Hornets'' winning streak against the Bengals was their second-longest against a Big Sky team (Sacramento State currently has a 22-match winning streak against Portland State). The Hornets, who dropped to 15-6 overall and 5-2 in the conference, are now 5-4 on the road this season.
Idaho State limited Sacramento State to a .182 hitting percentage and improved to 9-12 overall and 5-2 in the conference. The Bengals posted better numbers than the Hornets in kills (75-64), hitting percentage (.234-.182), assists (66-59) and digs (80-74).
Eastern Washington, which defeated both Montana and Montana State over the weekend, moved into sole possession of first place in the conference standings with a 6-1 record, while Idaho State, Sacramento State and Montana State are each 5-2.
The five Bengals with double-figure kills were comprised of Randall, Kamie Olsen (15), Felice Yocopis (14), Ali Gorny
(12) and Heather Kinnison (12). Yocopis added a team-high .324 hitting percentage to go along with 12 digs. Idaho State saved a game point in the first game (28-29) before winning 32-30, and used a 12-0 run in game two to take command of the contest.
Sacramento State was playing the match without the services of two key players – junior rightside hitter Natalie Melcher (health reasons) and sophomore libero Kristin Lutes, who injured her hand Friday against Weber State. The Hornets were led by senior Sandra Bandimere''s team-best 20 kills and 17 digs while senior Emily Wilson (16 kills, a .317 hitting percentage and five blocks) and junior Shannon Arts (10 kills and four blocks) also had double figures in kills.
The Hornets had four players with at least four blocks, including senior Stephanie Gamst (four) and freshman Lindsay Haupt (four). Sophomore Leah Klemenhagen led all players with a .571 hitting percentage (5-1-7) as the middle hitter is now hitting .577 (17-2-26) over her last six matches.
Junior Mallory Hook, who played at the libero position for the injured Lutes, finished with 14 digs while Gamst tallied 11.
Sacramento State will now embark upon a stretch in which the team will play four of its next five matches at home, including this Tuesday, Oct. 19, against non-conference rival Pacific at 7 p.m.
