The two-day, five-team tournament marks the season openers for Sacramento State, Texas Tech, New Mexico State, Eastern Michigan and host UTEP. A notoriously slow starting team, the Hornets’ victory was just the third time in the last seven years the team has opened the season with a victory. Sacramento State returns to the court later today to take on New Mexico State at 4 p.m. PST. Both Sacramento State and New Mexico State are currently receiving votes in the top 25.

Sacramento State held the advantage over Texas Tech in every statistical category including kills (67-52), assists (63-48), aces (7-5), digs (63-55), hitting percentage (.230-.098) and team blocks (14.0-11.0).

Franz finished with 12 kills, a match-high .524 hitting percentage (12-1-21), six digs, six blocks and two aces. Two of those kills came during the latter stages of game four where she posted back-to-back kills to give the Hornets a commanding 29-25 lead. Roland’s 15 kills were two shy of her career high as the senior is coming back from a clavicle injury that shortened her 2005 season.

Haupt had 11 kills (including five in the fourth game) and a team-high tying six blocks. The reigning Big Sky Conference MVP has now posted double-figure kills in 15 of her last 17 matches dating back to last season. Hubbard posted her 34th career double-double as the outside hitter finished with 13 kills and 11 digs.

Senior Kristin Lutes led all players with 15 digs, junior Jennifer Ferguson had five kills, a .364 hitting percentage and 12 digs, and senior Leah Klemenhagen finished one kill shy of her career high with eight. Sophomore setter Rose Burke posted 54 assists, two aces, seven digs and four blocks.

After this evening’s match against New Mexico State, the Hornets conclude the tournament tomorrow (Saturday, Aug. 26) against both UTEP (11 a.m. PST) and Eastern Michigan (4 p.m. PST).