With the victory, Sacramento State’s winning streak increased to eight, matching its longest winning streak in the last five years (the 2001 squad also won eight in a row). The Hornets, who have also won 12 of their last 13 and 17 of the last 19, improved to 18-7 overall this season and 8-1 in the Big Sky. Sacramento State remains all alone atop the conference standings, one game ahead of Portland State (7-2), who knocked off Idaho State earlier this afternoon.

With only five conference matches remaining on the schedule, the competition for first place and the right to host the Big Sky Tournament (Nov. 17-19) appears to be a two-team race between Sacramento State and Portland State. Eastern Washington, which hosted the tournament each of the last three years, sits in third place with a 6-3 record. Sacramento State will take on both Eastern Washington (Thursday, Oct. 27, 7 p.m.) and Portland State (Saturday, Oct. 29, 1 p.m.) next week.

What makes Sacramento State’s current winning streak even more impressive is the fact the team has swept six-straight opponents and seven of the eight during the run. With the loss, Montana State dropped to 10-12 overall and 4-5 in the Big Sky. The Bobcats had defeated Sacramento State in Bozeman three of the last four years prior to tonight’s loss.

Four Hornets finished with double figures in digs despite the match lasting just three games and the Hornets’ defense limited Montana State to a .066 hitting percentage. No Bobcat player had more than seven kills and none (with at least two kills) hit better than .211. Junior libero Kristin Lutes led all players with 21 digs, while Hubbard (12), junior defensive specialist Mallory Hook (11) and senior setter Natalie Melcher (10) each posted double-figure digs.

Lutes now has 1,354 career digs and moved into 10th place on Sacramento State’s all-time career digs list despite being just a junior and missing 10 matches last season with injury. The Hornets, who are currently ranked fourth in the nation in digs per game, have now limited the opposition to hitting percentages of .190 or below in 13-consecutive matches.

Hubbard’s 18 kills and 12 digs marked the outside hitter’s team-best 15th double-double of the season. Haupt hit .375 with just three errors in 24 total attack as the middle hitter has now hit at least .310 in eight-consecutive matches and is hitting .438 over that span. Senior middle hitter Shannon Arts added seven kills, a .333 hitting percentage and a season-high six digs.

In her second match back from injury, junior outside hitter Shannon Roland finished with seven kills and nine digs. However, sophomore outside hitter Jennifer Ferguson injured her ankle in the first game, and did not return.

Montana State was led by Angela Wiebe’s seven kills while Kandice Kelly recorded 20 digs. The Bobcats’ largest lead of the night was 14-9 in the second game.

Sacramento State plays two of its final three home matches of the season next week with first place in the Big Sky standings on the line. The Hornets have won 45-consecutive regular-season home matches against conference competitions, dating back to the 1999 season.