Hornets volleyball tops Arizona 3-1 to earn first Big Sky victory of season
mountain lions:Nighthawks’ tight end Jeb Putzier is brought to the ground by Mountain Lions’ linebacker Dontarrious Thomas during Saturday?s game against Omaha at Hornet Stadium. Sacramento won 41-3.:Robert Linggi – State Hornet
September 27, 2009
The Sacramento State women’s volleyball team earned another victory Thursday night defeating the Lumberjacks of Northern Arizona by a final score of three sets to one.
Winners of seven of its last eight matches, including four in a row, the surging Hornets improved their overall record to 9-6 on the season and are 1-0 in conference play. After losing the first game of the night by a score of 22-25, the Hornets rallied back to sweep the next three sets 25-18, 25-21 and 25-22 to earn the win. Coach Ruben Volta, in his second year as head coach of the Hornets, was proud of the way his team rose to the challenge.
“It’s a good sign for us,” Volta said. “It shows that we can respond and play aggressive even after losing the first.” Middle hitter Maddison Thivierge combined for 11 kills between games two and three (finished with 16) as the Hornets demonstrated their willingness and ability to attack up the middle. “When we’re passing well, we like to run the middle. Our middle is a very fast attack. It puts a lot of pressure on the other team and opens things up on the outside,” Thivierge said. Hornets outside hitter Janelle Currey, who led all players with 18 kills, including six in the final game, agreed that passing well is a key to the Hornets’ success because it opens up more opportunities.
“It definitely helps,” Currey said. “We run a really fast offense when we pass well. It gives other teams trouble and is tough to defend.” The highlight of the night came in the fourth and ultimately final game of the match. With the Hornets trailing 18-21, freshman Sydney Kordic served six consecutive points, including three straight aces which gave the Hornets the lead for good and got them off to a 1-0 start in the conference. Kordic served three straight aces late in the fourth set. Hornets outside hitter Desiree Hoyum did not have a great night, finishing with only 7 kills while amassing 8 errors. Coach Volta assured that this was just an off night, which happens from time to time.
Stamati Shoriates can be reached at [email protected]