The Sacramento State volleyball team looks to take the first step toward its seventh Big Sky Conference title when it takes on Northern Arizona University this Saturday at Hornet Gym.

Sac State has won either the regular season conference title or the tournament championship in each of the last six years.

Last season they finished behind Eastern Washington University in the regular season, only to beat them in the conference tournament and earn a spot in the National Collegiate Athletic Association tournament.

This year head coach Debby Colberg believes the team will have to play top-notch volleyball every night to reach their goal.

“It’s going to be tougher than ever this year,” Colberg said. “We’ve been watching the scores and a lot of teams are playing very well.”

Sac State was predicted to finish second behind Eastern Washington in the preseason poll. The rivalry is nothing new for the two teams, who were picked as co-favorites last year.

Montana State University, Weber State University, and Portland State University rounded out the top five.

“It’s almost impossible to pick a frontrunner right now,” Colberg said. “There’s going to be a lot of everybody beating everybody.”

For the Hornets another trip to the postseason may very well hinge on how they perform early in the year. The team has the luxury of playing five of its first seven conference matches at home. As always, Colberg cannot understate the importance of these games.

“It’s good for us, especially since we’ve traveled so much recently,” Colberg said. “At the same time though, if you lose at home, your back is against the wall when you go on the road.”

Sac State will rely heavily on its five returning starters to help them win another championship. Senior setter Lisa Beauchene and senior middle hitter Kazmiera Imrie share the team’s captain responsibilities this season. They are also expected to anchor the team on the court.

Beauchene has gotten off to a fast start, posting four triple-doubles in the last seven matches and earning all-tournament honors in all four preseason tournaments. Imrie is second on the team with 3.15 kills per game. She’s also behind Beauchene in hitting percentage, at .293.

Of course, the two seniors will have plenty of help. Junior outside hitter Sandra Bandimere leads the team in kills with 3.5 per game. She is easily the Hornets’ most dangerous offensive threat but has been hampered by inconsistency so far this year.

“Sandra has some good games, but she also has some not so good games,” Colberg said. “If we can get her to be a little more consistent, we’ll be that much better.”

Junior middle hitter Emily Wilson moves into a starting role this season and the Sac State will count on her to contribute significant numbers as well.”We expect our juniors to be very productive. Emily is very quick; she has a fast arm swing and she’s a very effective blocker for her height.”

Newcomers will also have a big part in the Hornets’ success this season. Freshmen Jennifer Ferguson and Kristin Lutes have been thrust into the spotlight and so far they haven’t blinked.

Lutes, the defensive specialist, leads the team with 3.85 digs per game. Ferguson is right behind her with 3.02 digs per game while also contributing 2.35 kills per game. They don’t have the burden of leadership on their shoulders, but that doesn’t mean they are totally off the hook.

“If you earned your spot, you’re one of the six players and you need to pull your weight,” Colberg said. “We’re depending on Jen and Kristin for the passing, and so far they’ve been very solid.”

Players to watch around the Big Sky Conference

Eastern Washington — Megan Kitterman (2.98 kills per game), Jessie Wright (5.52 assists per game).

Idaho State — Alison Gorny (4.65 kills per game), Kylie Gilmore (3.09 kills per game).

Montana — Lizzie Wertz (3.4 kills per game), Whitney Pavlik (3.0 kills per game).Montana State — Megan Zanto (2.58 kills per game), Kamber Kelly (3.09 digs per game).

Northern Arizona — Ellie Buttefield (3.20 kills per game), Claire Robertson (8.96 assists per game).

Portland State — Richell Wilson (4.28 kills per game), Kathy Garbacz (3.13 kills per game).

Weber State — Kris Hollingsworth (3.45 kills per game), Stephanie Birch (3.38 kills per game).