The reigning Big Sky champion Hornets opened up their season with a seven-game stretch away from home which included tournament stops in El Paso, Texas and Fayetteville, Arkansas. Those stops gave head coach Debby Colberg a good indication of what to expect throughout the season.

“I think the three tournaments (including the upcoming Sacramento State Invitational) you use to judge the strength,” Colberg said.

The Hornets are strong again this season and the league is already recognizing it with middle hitter Lindsay Haupt and senior libero Kristin Lutes each bringing home Big Sky Player of the Week honors in only the first two weeks of the season. Lutes averaged a tournament-best 7.80 digs in Arkansas last week. Senior Shannon Roland, and juniors Michelle Franz and Lindsay Haupt are some of the Hornets’ standout players.

Roland had 34 kills, six digs and one ace for the Hornets in Arkansas.

“She played really well this weekend (in Arkansas),” said Colberg. “She was consistent and hits harder than anyone.”

“I felt for myself that I was consistent enough to keep the team together ?” to be a solid person to change the game around,” Roland said of her performance. “I was helping the team to not fall apart.”

“She produces quiet, so people won’t notice her,” said Colberg. “She hits her high percentage.” Haupt, who was the Big Sky MVP last season, was awarded the Big Sky Player of the Week honor for the week of August 29.

“She’s bigger (compared to Franz) and plays with more emotion,” said Colberg. “She gets noticed more.”

It’s great,” Haupt said about the player of the week honor. “Our team is working well in the beginning of the season. I would never have gotten that (Player of the Week) without them.” The team began its season at the One Sun Invitational in El Paso Texas, where the Hornets went 3-1. Sacramento beat Texas Tech 3-1, lost to New Mexico State 3-1 and then swept UTEP and Eastern Michigan.

Seniors Roland and Atlee Hubbard led the Hornets in kills. Hubbard made 49 and Roland recorded 55. Senior Kristin Lutes led Sacramento with 69 digs, sophomore Rose Burke recorded 169 assists for the Hornets, and Haupt led with 16 blocks.

The Hornets took second place finish at the Arkansas Volleyball Invitational in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Sac State lost to host Arkansas 3-1, but swept Stephen F. Austin and Southwest Missouri State.

The Hornets will host the Sacramento State Invitational this Friday and Saturday.

Karyn Gilbert can be reached at [email protected]