A mediocre crowd turned out for Sacramento State’s women’s volleyball match against Northern Arizona, a match in which the Hornet’s intensity was rivaled only by its opponents’.

In the first game that intensity seemed like it was going to pay off for the Lumberjacks. It would be hard fought for them however; there’s a reason why Sac State volleyball is the nine-time defending Big Sky champion.

That didn’t stop NAU from putting out a tremendous effort. The visitors came out fighting. In the end of the first game the score was 29-28 in favor of the Hornets. It would be Sac’s senior outside hitter Atlee Hubbard who would make the game deciding kill.

Throughout the second game, senior libero Kristin Lutes’ presence on the court was undeniable. Lutes accounted for 18 total defensive digs on the night. At times, she seemed to be everywhere on the court.

“We were able to step up our game,” Lutes said.

This being her final season playing with the Hornets, Lutes said this is an experience that will be hard to walk away from.

“Oh, I will probably cry,” she said.

Despite Northern Arizona’s best efforts, Sac State was dominating by the end of the second game. In the best of five series, the Hornets were now 2-0. Michelle Franz was handling business at the net delivering 5 kills and 5 defensive digs.

By the end of the third game Sac State was dominating. At 29-22, the crowd got on its feet, stomping and cheering. With a tremendous block by 6-1 junior middle hitter Lindsay Haupt, the ball landed untouched in the Lumberjacks court. The game was over and the Hornets had won in three-straight sets.

“We held our composure,” Haupt said. “Keep the ball in the court, and we’ll take care of it.”

The Hornets go on the road tomorrow to take on Weber State at 5 p.m. Coach Debby Colberg is optimistic about the future of the team saying that the ladies should be able to take care of business tomorrow come game time.

“We can’t look too far ahead,” Colberg said. “We just have to take it one game at a time.”