With the victory, Sacramento State (20-7, 10-1) strengthened its hold atop the Big Sky standings, moving two games ahead of second-place Portland State (18-6, 8-3) with just three conference matches remaining on the schedule. The Hornets, who have won 10-straight contests, 14 of the last 15, and 19 of the last 21, need to win just one of their three remaining conference matches to clinch the Big Sky’s regular-season championship and the right to host the Big Sky Tournament (Nov. 17-19). Despite splitting the season series with Portland State (PSU won, 3-2, in Portland earlier this year), the Hornets own the tiebreaker over the Vikings (should both teams finish tied for first at the end of the season) by virtue of winning the higher percentage of total games between the two teams.

Sacramento State closes with road matches at Idaho State (Friday, Nov. 4) and Weber State (Saturday, Nov. 5) and a home contest against Northern Arizona (Saturday, Nov. 12).

Sacramento State, which has won the last three Big Sky Tournament championships (each played in Cheney, Wash.), is seeking its first regular-season crown since 2001. Eastern Washington won regular season title from 2002-04 while the Hornets won the regular season championship each year from 1997-01. Sacramento State has won either the Big Sky’s regular season and/or tournament championship each of the last eight years.

The Hornets’ current 10-match winning streak is the team’s longest since the 1998 squad won 15 in a row. In addition, the Hornets have won 11 in a row at home this year, and have now won 46-consecutive regular season home matches against Big Sky competition dating back to the 1999 season. During the 10-match winning streak, the Hornets have swept eight of those opponents.

The Hornets, who are a perfect 10-0 in the month of October and are currently ranked 27th in the nation by RichKern.com, will play their final regular-season home contest of the season against Northern Arizona on Nov. 12. Sacramento State has also reached the 20-victory plateau for the 11th-straight season.

Haupt (13 blocks), Franz (seven blocks), setter Natalie Melcher (six blocks) and senior Shannon Arts (four blocks) were huge contributors to a Sacramento State defensive effort which accumulated 86 digs and a season-high 21.0 team blocks. The 21.0 team blocks tied for the sixth-best mark in Hornet Div. I history (1990-pres.) as Sacramento State limited Portland State to a .148 hitting percentage.

Franz’s 15 kills accompanied a match-best .444 hitting percentage (15-3-27) while Haupt hit .379 (12-1-29). Haupt also had three solo blocks, which set a career high, and the Etna, Calif., native has now hit at least .310 in 10-consecutive matches. Hubbard posted her team-best 17th double-double of the season as the outside hitter also finished with 16 digs. Joining Hubbard with double figures in digs for the Hornets were Hubbard, Jennifer Ferguson (20) and Mallory Hook (10).

Portland State, which had 95 digs and 10.0 team blocks, was led by Jessica Brodie’ 22 kills and 25 digs while Jessica Vanzant (14 kills, four blocks), Michelle Robertson (11 kills, .333, six blocks) and Sarah Sirianni (27 digs) also chipped in.

Getting set for next week’s road trip, Sacramento State has already defeated both Weber State (3-1) and Idaho State (3-0) earlier this season at home. However, Idaho State defeated Sacramento State in Pocatello last year and Weber State has knocked off the Hornets in Ogden three times in the last five years.