The Hornets, who conclude the regular season with a 23-7 overall record and an 11-3 mark in the Big Sky, will get a bye in the first round of the tournament (Nov. 18-20) which takes place in Cheney, Wash. (Eastern Washington’s home floor) for the third-consecutive year. The field four the Big Sky Tournament is set with Eastern Washington gaining the No. 1 seed, followed by Sacramento State, Montana State (No. 3), Idaho State (No. 4), Portland State (No. 5) and Northern Arizona (No. 6). Montana and Weber State both did not advance.

Montana State will take on Northern Arizona in the first round on Thursday, while Idaho State will take on Portland State in the other quarterfinal match. In the semifinals on Friday, Sacramento State will face the highest remaining seed while Eastern Washington will take on the lowest remaining seed.

The Hornets will enter the tournament fresh off a season in which the team’s 23-7 mark is the best after 30 matches since the 1995 squad was 27-3. Sacramento State has now finished at least second in the Big Sky every year since joining the conference in 1996.

The Hornets dominated the match in every statistical category, limiting Weber State to just 24 kills and a .090 hitting percentage as no Wildcat player had more than five kills. Combined with Thursday’s blowout win over Idaho State, the Hornets have now outscored their opposition in points, 180-80, over the last two matches.

Including tonight’s mark of .333, Sacramento State has hit at least .300 in each of its last three matches to raise the team season hitting percentage to .232. The Hornets also easily handled Weber State in assists (48-22) and digs (55-39). Sacramento State finishes the season with a 13-1 record at home, with the only loss coming in five games to 12th-ranked Saint Mary’s. In addition, the team has won 40-consecutive regular-season home matches over Big Sky competition.

Bandimere’s 15 kills accompanied a .387 hitting percentage (15-3-31), 12 digs and two blocks. In addition, five Hornets hit above .400, comprised of senior Emily Wilson (13 kills, .600), junior Natalie Melcher (six kills, .417), senior Stephanie Gamst (five kills, career-high .714), freshman Lindsay Haupt (four kills, .444) and sophomore Leah Klemenhagen (three kills, .500). Sophomore Atlee Hubbard had a team-best 13 digs while junior Mallory Hook finished with nine.

Sacramento State controlled the match the entire way as Weber State’s largest lead was three points (8-5) in the third game. The Hornets had seven aces, including four from senior Jackie Coudert, who now has 12 in her last six contests.

Tonight marked the final home matches for Sacramento State seniors Bandimere, Coudert, Gamst and Wilson. The Hornets will attempt to win the Big Sky Tournament for the third year in a row at Reese Court (Cheney, Wash).