Margarita Karnaukhova’s upset bid over No. 10-ranked Jewel Peterson of the University of Southern California ended abruptly in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

After taking the first set 6-3, the rest of the match was called off when the Trojans clinched the victory due to wins in the other singles matches.

Posting an 11-4 singles record and a 14- 4 doubles record while battling an injured back throughout the season, Karnaukhova was the only possible choice for Big Sky Most Valuable Player.

“I think that if she stays healthy and works hard she definitely has a chance of winning the NCAA (singles) tournament,” said head coach Bill Campbell, who recruited Karnaukhova from her native Russia.

She led the Hornets to a No. 64 ranking and lost only one point in the first two rounds of the Big Sky Tournament before retiring due to her back injury in the finals.

She even upset No. 36-ranked Claire Carter of the University of Washington midway through the season.

“In the next four-to-five years, in my opinion, Margarita will be a top-five player on the women’s professional circuit,” Campbell said.

Honorable MentionsNicole Deatherage, softball: The Hornet softball team hadn’t posted a 30-win season since 1997 and 13 of this season’s wins belonged to the Hornets’ leading pitcher, Deatherage.

The junior pitched more innings than anyone else on the pitching staff (183) and consequently led the team with 151 strikeouts, while posting an ERA of 2.22.

Lisa Beauchene, volleyball: With 13 kills, 44 assists and 14 digs, Beauchene was named Big Sky Tournament MVP as she led Sac State to the Big Sky Tourney title, outlasting Eastern Washington in the finals.

Beauchene had two triple-doubles in the tourney and led the team, averaging 10.75 sets a game, on their way to a 24-11 record and an appearance in the NCAA Tourney, where they lost to Stanford.