In a match that lasted less than 90 minutes, the Sacramento State volleyball team took the first step toward their seventh Big Sky Conference championship when they defeated Northern Arizona University in the conference opener at Hornet Gym Saturday.

Senior setter Lisa Beauchene posted her fifth triple-double (11 kills, 26 assists, 10 digs) of the season and three others contributed double-figure kills as Sac State swept the Lumberjacks 3-0.

At certain points in game the Lumberjacks looked severely outclassed, and at other times they looked only slightly out of sync.

“They were determined. We were able to do some things to get them off their game,” Hornet head coach Debby Colberg said.

The first game of the match was a seesaw battle until Sac State reeled off four straight points to take a 16-8 lead.

They widened their lead to nine points when the Lumberjacks mounted a comeback.

The Hornets were outscored 10-6 and the lead was closed to five points before they were able win the game 30-25.

In the second game, they sprinted out to a 17-7 lead and never looked back.Junior middle hitter Emily Wilson had six kills and junior outside hitter Sandra Bandimere had four to pace the team.

Game three was tied at 21 until a NAU error, combined with two service aces by Wilson and two kills by senior middle hitter Kazmiera Imrie, gave the Hornets a 26-21 lead.

Eventually Sac State was able to put the match away after Beauchene and Wilson combined to block a NAU attack.

“We served tough and stopped their strengths,” Beauchene said. “We’re finally gelling as a team.”

The Hornets continue their homestand this week welcoming the Montana State University Bobcats at 7 p.m. on Thursday and the University of Montana Grizzlies at 1 p.m. on Saturday.