The 25th-ranked Long Beach State 49ers were poised, confident and ready to go Wednesday night against Sacramento State’s volleyball team. However, Sac State proved too much for them, upsetting Long Beach in three games (30-24, 30-25, 30-27)Thursday night at the Hornets Nest.

Defense was the maxim of the night for the Hornets. The front line accounted for 32 blocks on the night. Leading the way was junior middle hitter Michelle Franz, who tallied up a total nine blocks on the night. Franz also accounted for 10 kills.

After an early game one Long Beach timeout, the Hornets continued to punish the 49ers at the net. Block after hard block kept Long Beach down. When it wasn’t defense it was mental mistakes that kept Long Beach down and the Hornets capitalized. Sac State scored five quick, unanswered points after the time out to pull ahead. Senior outside hitter Atlee Hubbard would not be denied Thursday, giving the 49ers all they could handle. The Hornets won game one 30-24.

Sac State started game two with a couple of mental mistakes, but after a quick timeout, the Hornets were back in their element.

I just told the girls to keep being super-aggressive, Coach Debby Colberg said. I wanted to keep up the style of play that had won the first game.

Hubbard and fellow junior outside hitter Jennifer Ferguson gave the 49ers problems in game two. Ferguson set Hubbard up numerous times during the game.

I like the fact that they fear me, Hubbard said.

Junior middle hitter Lindsay Haupt showed why she was a Big Sky MVP by blasting the game winner home for Sac State taking the 2-0 lead into game three.

Game three seemed to be a continuation of game two. Hubbard continued to play big while Ferguson and Haupt were a strong force at the net.

We worked as a team tonight, Haupt said. They picked up where I left off.

Long Beach rallied to tie up the game, but it was short-lived. At 29-27 the Sac fans were on their feet and cheering on the Hornets. Those early mental mistakes would come back to haunt Long Beach. The Hornets won game three 30-27.

This win shows what we can do, said Hubbard. I think we know that we can do this every time.

The Hornets now go on the road to take on Saint Mary’s on Saturday at 7 p.m.