Currently holding its best record in 11 years, Sacramento State improved to 22-4 overall and 9-0 in the Big Sky with the victory. The Hornets have won a season-high 10 in a row and 16 of the last 17, and the team has now swept eight of its nine Big Sky opponents this year. Sacramento State entered the week with the 20th best winning percentage in the nation, and is currently receiving votes in the top 25.

The Hornets remain in first place in the league standings, two games ahead of second-place Portland State (8-2) in the loss column. Winners of nine-consecutive Big Sky regular season and/or tournament championships, Sacramento State will earn the right to host the Big Sky Tournament (Nov. 16-18) should the team conclude the regular season first in the league standings.

With the loss, Montana State dropped to 6-13 overall and 2-8 in the Big Sky. The Hornets now lead the all-time series, 27-6, over the Bobcats and have defeated Montana State on seven-straight occasions dating back to 2004. Sacramento State has seven matches remaining on the regular season schedule, including three at home and four on the road.

Hubbard, who had nine kills in the first game, finished with just three errors in 31 total attacks. Hubbard’s previous career high for hitting percentage was .440, set in 2004 against Seton Hall. She accounted for more than 30 percent of the team’s kills as the Hornets finished with 59 compared to just 40 for Montana State. The Bobcats were limited to a .127 hitting percentage as Sacramento State finished with 16.0 team blocks. Seven different Hornets finished with at least two blocks in the match.

Junior middle hitter Lindsay Haupt tallied 13 kills, a .375 hitting percentage and six blocks. Junior Michelle Franz (seven kills, .250 hitting percentage) had her streak of consecutive matches with at least a .310 hitting percentage come to a close at 10, but she did finish with a match-high 10 blocks. Entering the week ranked fourth in the nation in blocks per game, Franz has now tallied double figures in blocks three times this year.

Senior Shannon Roland added nine kills and seven digs, and senior Kristin Lutes led all players with 23 digs. Ranked eighth in the nation in digs, Lutes has been incredible over her last four matches, averaging 8.07 digs per game during that span.

The teams were tied at 26-26 in the first game, and 28-28 in the second game, but the Hornets were able to come out on the winning end in both frames. Back-to-back kills from Roland and Hubbard ended the first game, and consecutive kills from Haupt and Roland ended the second frame.

Montana State was led by Angela Wiebe’s 11 kills and .308 hitting percentage while Raelene Purnell finished with six blocks.

Sacramento State returns to action on Saturday, Oct. 21, when the team welcomes Weber State at 7 p.m. The Hornets are 19-5 all-time against the Wildcats.