The Sacramento State women’s volleyball team capped off a five-game road trip on Tuesday with a come-from-behind victory over the San Jose State Spartans. The Hornets, who defeated the Spartans 3-2, took over sole possession of fifth place in the Big Sky Conference and extended their current winning streak to three games.

Two days after being awarded Big Sky Conference Co-Player of the Week, senior outside hitter Desiree Hoyum picked up right where she left off, leading the Hornets with a match-high 18 kills while contributing 14 digs. Hoyum, who leads the conference in double-doubles, earned her 14th of the season in Tuesday’s effort.

Outscored by the Spartans in nearly every offensive category in the first two games, the Hornets dug themselves an early 0-2 hole. Nevertheless, with their backs against the wall, Sac State received significant contributions from several players en route to sweeping the next three games and taking the match.

In game three, freshman outside hitter Janelle Currey led the Hornets with six kills in 22 total attacks and more than doubled her stats from the first two sets combined. The Hornets took game three by a final of 25-21.

“In the beginning we were setting the middles and they were doing well. By the third game, they started stacking against them which opened up the outsides,” Currey said.

Sac State took game four by a score of 25-18 as junior middle hitter Maddison Thivierge led all players with five kills. “I think it all started coming together for us by then. We were serving, hitting, and passing well which gives us a lot of options,” Thivierge said. The Hornets’ game four victory evened the match at two sets apiece forcing a fifth game.

In the fifth game, Hoyum accounted for a game-high four kills as the Hornets bested the Spartans 15-10 to take the final set and the match.

With the 3-2 victory over San Jose, the Hornets have won 10 of their last 14 matches improving their overall record to 12-9. “Fatigue’s not even a factor. We’ve played so many five-game matches this season, we don’t even think about it,” Hoyum said.

As a team, the Hornets combined for 11 aces (score on a serve) including three from freshman defensive specialist Sidney Kordic. Sophomore middle hitter Kelsey Elston added seven kills and finished with a match-high six blocks while Currey pitched in with 22 digs to go along with 11 kills giving her 12 double-doubles for the season.

Thao Pham of San Jose State led all players with 26 digs while the Hornets’ sophomore libero Breanne Menees finished with 25.

Sac State returns to action at home Friday against Montana State. On Saturday, the Hornets will then host Montana in a game featuring the fourth and fifth seeded teams in the Big Sky as they compete for the fourth and final conference playoff spot.

Stamati Horiates can be reached at [email protected]