In true dramatic fashion, Hornet volleyball won the Big Sky conference for the fourth consecutive year, and will host the Big Sky Tournament, starting tomorrow through Nov. 18. After losing to Northern Arizona 3-2 on Thursday, and trailing to Cal State Northridge 2-0 on Saturday, the Hornets found their inner fire and came back, winning the final three games of the match and clinching the conference title.

“That was a miracle. We lost two games and went down 9-0 in the third. We moved people around and it finally started clicking,” head coach Debby Colberg said. ” We’re thrilled to be able to host again. We appear to be much better in our home gym.”

The Hornets were defeated by the Lumberjacks 3-2 (15-13, 9-15, 13-15, 15-8, 15-7). This loss put the two teams in a tie, and the Hornets were at risk of losing their chance at the title and rights to host the tournament.

Sophomore Jayme Wright led the Hornets with 21 kills, nine digs, seven blocks and eight assists. Dwyer (15), Rogers (13), and Beauchene (12) each posted double figure kills, as well. Overall, NAU led the Hornets in almost every statistical category. They dominated in hitting percentages, kills, assists, and blocks.

Then the Hornets traveled to Northridge to take on the Matadors in the last regular season match for both teams. The Hornets trailed two games to none, and were trailing 9-0 in game three. They pushed their way to 14-10, then ran off six unanswered points to take game three. After that, they won game four and five. In the end, Sac State prevailed 3-2 (14-16, 6-15, 16-14, 15-9, 15-13) over Cal State Northridge.

Six Hornets finished with double figure kills. Again, Wright led the Hornets with 20 kills and Dwyer was right behind with 18.

“Jayme was incredible in both matches and Tasman played well in both matches,” Colberg said. “Kazmiera Imrie sparked us with some good blocks and hits.”

Imrie posted 12 kills, as well as having a career high of nine blocks. Beauchene added 10; Sarah Chlebana also had 10 kills, and posted a team high of 24 digs. Rogers had 13 kills in the win.

In games three, four and five, the Matador hitting percentage was cut in half from the earlier two games’ percentages, and the Hornets had a season high of 19 team blocks.

This win crowned the Hornets as the Big Sky Champions for the fourth time

and gave them hosting rights to the Big Sky Tournament.

“This win gives them a lot of confidence. It is a big step for us to be able to come back,” Colberg said. “The top six teams have all just beat each other up all year long, but I think the home court gives us an advantage.”

Northern Arizona and Sac State both finished with 12-4 records, but the Hornets own the tie-breaker over the Lumberjacks, earning the right to host the tournament.

Joining the Hornets at the tournament will be Cal State Northridge, Northern

Arizona, Eastern Washington, Montana State and Montana. Because the Hornets are hosting, they receive the first round bye. The first game will be either at 5:00 or 7:30 p.m. on Friday at Hornet Gym. The tournament is single elimination and two matches will be played daily on Thursday and Friday. The championship match will be played on Sunday at 7 p.m. All matches will be played at Hornet Gym.