The Sacramento State volleyball team began its 2001 campaign by going 1-2 at the Oregon State University Showcase in Corvallis, Oregon this past weekend.

The Hornets opened their season with a dominating defensive performance Friday night by defeating Southern Illinois University 30-15, 34-32, 30-20 in the first round. Sophomore Kazmiera Imrie and senior Tasman Dwyer, who was named to the all-tournament team, led Sac State, holding the Salukis to a .054 hitting percentage for the match.

Imrie had a career day, hitting .310 for the match, setting a career-high in digs (15) and matching her career-high in kills with 12. The Hornets hit .230 for the match and had five players (Imrie, Dwyer, Beauchene, Alison Gahr and Loretta Coffman) hit over .300.Southern Illinois was led by Lindsey Schultz, who recorded 10 kills, and Kristie Kemner, who added eight kills and 18 digs.

The second day of the tournament did not bode as well for the Hornets. The Hornets lost both matches in five games, including a thrilling contest against the host team, Oregon State: 30-25, 30-13, 23-30, 24-30 and 15-11.

Sac State struggled offensively in the first two games of the match, hitting just .125 and .000 respectively. Down 0-2 in the match, the Hornets showed grit and determination, winning the next two games by seven (30-23) and by six (30-24).

The effort and energy expended in those games may have contributed to the narrow four-point defeat in the decisive fifth game (11-15).

The Beavers were impressive in game five, hitting .579 with 13 kills and only two errors. Gina Schmidt led the Beavers to victory by hitting .362 and contributing a match-high 21 kills. Schmidt had plenty of help as four other Beavers recorded double figures in kills, headlined by Katrina Nelso?s .444 hit percentage and 16 kills. Josceyln Hannaford (15 kills), Michele Soloman (13) and K.C. Frederic (11) rounded out the foursome.

The Beavers also outdug the Hornets, 98-77, and held Sac State to a season low .134 hitting percentage.

Lisa Beauchene recorded her fourth career triple-double and Dwyer led the team with 12 digs.

Earlier in the day, the Hornets lost their first match of the season to San Jose State 25-30, 24-30,30-24,30-27,15-9 in another five-game series. Sac State held a huge advantage in team blocks (16-7) but was outhit by the Spartans .217 to .202 in the match.

The Spartans were led in kills by Brianna Blair (22 kills), Kimberly Noble (21), Stephanie Pascucci (17) and Liz Hudson (16). San Jose State outdug the Hornets 99-94. Dwyer led the Hornets with 18 kills, and Jayme Wright added 16 kills and 11 digs. Lisa Beauchene recorded 17 digs and 60 assists.

Tonight the Hornets will host causeway rival University of California, Davis at 7 p.m. for their home opener.