Sacramento State looked to cement its hold on first place in the Big Sky against the only team to tarnish their conference record so far in 2005 when it hosted Portland State on Saturday afternoon at the Hornets Nest.

The Vikings jumped out 6-3 early in the first game, but Sac State’s defense held Portland State within arms reach.

Neither team could seem to muster any offense, Sac State ended the first game with .178 hitting percentage against Portland State’s .038. Sac State’s 12 block assists and three solo blocks put away the first game 30-22.

Offensively things didn’t improve for Sac State (20-7, 10-1 Big Sky). Outside hitter Atlee Hubbard and middle blocker Lindsay Haupt, could never get into a rhythm against the Vikings (18-6, 8-3). Haupt was able to record three block assists and two solo blocks by the end of the second game along with six kills.

The Hornets struggled for the entirety of the second game, while Portland State continued to slowly strengthen. Vikings outside hitter Jessica Brodie, the smallest Viking at 5-foot-6, recorded a double-double by the end of the second game with 10 kills and 12 digs. The Hornets would be forced to play a fourth game after dropping game two 30-24. Sac State had not given up a game point in the previous seven matches.

“They played very aggressively,” Hubbard said. “Our hitting errors let them back in that game.”

Portland State would come out in game three and take the first point, just as they did the previous two games. Unlike the first two games however, the Hornets didn’t allow the Vikings to gain momentum. After tying the game for the 24th time at 27-27, Sac State would push out ahead and take the lead with two games to one.

The Hornets would have to force a 7-2 point swing late in the fourth game to keep them in it at 20-21. Portland State wanted to control the tempo, but the silent killer for the Hornets, middle hitter Michelle Franz, wouldn’t allow that to happen again.

“The last time we faced them in Portland I didn’t do too good,” Franz said. “This time I caught them off guard.”

Back on Sept. 30 the Vikings were able to sweep the Hornets at the Stott Center in Portland, Ore. Franz would have her revenge, posting 15 kills on 27 attempts along with four digs, seven total blocks and a match-high .444 hitting percentage.

The Hornets would put the match away after several errors turned the tide for the Vikings. Hubbard dodged an attack that went long and gave match point to the Hornets.