The contest marked the conference opener for both teams as Sacramento State improved to 9-6 overall and 1-0 in the Big Sky while Montana State dropped to 6-8 and 0-1. The Hornets have now won eight of their last nine matches and four straight at home. In addition, Sacramento State improved its regular-season winning streak to 41-consecutive matches against Big Sky competition at home (a streak which dates back to 1999).

Hubbard’s 21 kills accompanied a .278 hitting percentage, seven digs and five blocks. The outside hitter has combined for 53 kills over her last three matches and is now averaging 3.23 kills per game. The 14 kills for Franz was a career high and tied Arts’ career best. Franz’s streak of six-straight matches hitting at least .350 came to an end as the Carmichael, Calif., native tallied a .278 mark (14-4-36).

Hornet sophomore Lindsay Haupt had a career-high tying 11 blocks as Sacramento State had a season-best 18.0 team blocks. In fact, five Hornets had at least four blocks comprised of Haupt, Hubbard, Franz (six), setter Natalie Melcher (five) and Ferguson (four). Ferguson also had 17 digs to record her second-straight double-double.

Junior Kristin Lutes had 23 digs as the libero has now led the Hornets in every match this season in digs, while senior Mallory Hook posted 15 digs (one shy of her season high).

Sacramento State dominated the match in nearly every statistical category, including kills (72-46), hitting percentage (.219-.071), assists (65-43), digs (78-69) and team blocks (18.0-12.0). The Bobcats hit below .070 in each of the games they lost (-.097 in game one, .067 in game two and .000 in game four).

Montana State was led by Kim Stonehouse’s 14 kills and 11 digs while Meggie Malyurek tallied 11 kills, 16 digs and five blocks. Megan Zanto had a team-best eight blocks.

The Hornets return to action on Saturday, Sept. 24, as they host Montana for a match at 7 p.m. Sacramento State has won each of the last 11 meetings against the Grizzlies dating back to the 1999 season.