Sandra Bandimere |
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Sophomore Sandra Bandimere recorded a career high 15 kills as the Sacramento State volleyball team increased its winning streak to seven matches and defeated Butler, 3-0 (30-18, 30-25, 30-25), in the home opener Thursday night in Hornet Gym.The Hornets (7-1) have not lost since Aug. 30 and are now off to their best start since 1995. During Sacramento State’s winning streak, the team has won six of the seven matches in just three games. Butler, which had defeated Indiana State on Tuesday night, dropped to 4-6 overall.
Besides Bandimere, junior Kazmiera Imrie (12 kills and a match-high four blocks) and senior Jayme Wright (12 kills and a match-high 11 digs) also chipped in. Bandimere’s 15 kills came with a .414 hitting percentage as the outside hitter committed just three errors in 29 attacks. Wright’s double-double was her fourth of the season and 35th of her career. In addition, Wright’s 11 digs now gives her 1,004 for her career.
Sacramento State hit .320 for the match and held the advantage over Butler in kills (58-41), hitting percentage (.320-.220), digs (42-34) and total blocks (8.5-7.0). The Hornets’ hitting percentage was the team’s second-best mark of the season. Junior Lisa Beauchene (seven kills, 40 assists, seven digs, .417 hitting percentage) and senior Loretta Coffman (six kills and a .500 hitting percentage) also put up good numbers for Sacramento State.
Butler was led by Areal Bienemy’s 11 kills while Kali Carter added eight kills and six digs.
In game one, Sacramento State jumped out to an 8-2 lead as Butler would get no closer than four points the rest of the way. Bandimere led all players with four kills as the Hornets hit .440 in the frame.
In the second game, the Hornets led from start to finish as Imrie tallied seven kills while Bandimere (five kills) and Wright (four kills) also chipped in. Sacramento State held a distinct advantage in kills (20-13) despite hitting just .208 in the frame.
Game three saw Butler jump out to a 17-13 lead before the Hornets went on a 7-0 run to take command of the game. Butler would get no closer than within two points of Sacramento State’s lead the rest of the way.
Sacramento State returns to action tomorrow (Friday, Sept. 13) in the first day of the three-team Nevada Invitational. The Hornets take on host Nevada at 7 p.m. before facing Cal State Northridge on Saturday, Sept. 14, at noon. Both matches will take place at the Virginia Street Gym in Reno, Nev.
