Thursday night’s Big Sky semifinal was a hard fought match by both sides, but after a three-and-out match, the Sacramento State women’s volleyball team emerged victorious sweeping the Northern Colorado Bears for the second time this season.

The victory was somewhat of a repeat from earlier in the season when the Hornets met up with the Bears in Colorado. Coach Debby Colberg, however, would say after the game that it was an entirely different game altogether.

“We beat them here a lot easier then we beat them there,” Colberg said. “We had to really survive when we were down 2-1 in the previous game.”

As the Hornets took the court the team looked amped. They were confident and seemed to be having a good time. Sac State’s senior outside hitter Atlee Hubbard would score first blood against the Bears by way of sophomore setter Rose Burke’s assist. The Hornets wouldn’t let go of the lead for the remainder of the match.

The team played as a complete unit, scoring and getting good defensive digs from every player. Hubbard would explain it wasn’t always as easy as it looked.

“We had some bumps in the road at the beginning of the season,” Hubbard said. “I think we had to get a new fresh attitude at the beginning of the tournament.”

“I think we definitely have a really good chemistry going into this final match,” Hubbard said.

The Bears weren’t looking to go down easy though. At moments during the game, each team had a chance to get some points on the board, but the Hornets were able to capitalize off the frequent mental errors that Northern Colorado was committing.

The team now prepares to take on Eastern Washington in the Big Sky Championship match, a game in which Hubbard feels confidently prepared for, at 7 p.m. Saturday night at the Hornets Nest.

“It’s kind of a routine now,” Hubbard said about playing in her third Big Sky championship.