The Sacramento State women’s volleyball team sent Portland State back home after defeating the Vikings in three games.

The Hornets never let the Vikings score more than 20 points in a game, winning by scores of 25-10 25-20, and 25-15.

The Hornets served strong the entire match, scoring nine aces. The tough serving made it difficult for Portland State to get into a good offensive rhythm. The Vikings didn’t get many clean passes to the setter off of the Hornet serve.

“Our serving set the tempo for the match and our passing and hitting were strong tonight,” said head coach Ruben Volta.

Portland State had some tough attackers in its front row offense. Sac State prepared itself to shut down Portland State’s offense prior to the match.

“In practice this week we worked on coverage for their hitting tendencies from the scouting reports,” said middle blocker and opposite side hitter Madison Thivierge.

The Hornets kept the ball in control and played a focused match.

“We really just played our game tonight,” Thivierge said. “We stayed steady and competed for every rally and every point. “

The Hornets put up a wall against the Portland State attackers and the front row blocked several of the Vikings attacks for game points.

Volta said the poor offensive system from the Vikings made it easy for the Hornet blockers to see where the set on the Viking side of the court was going. This led to the Hornet blockers being able to close in on the Viking attacks.

“We did a really nice job with the right side and the outside side hitters closing in together with the middle blocker where the hitters were going to be hitting,” Thivierge said.

Sac State had several sideouts during the match, which helped to keep them in control of the ball.

“One of our biggest strengths this match were the sideout on the Portland State’s point,” said Kayla Beal, opposite side hitter.

When Portland did generate an attack, the Hornets were ready to counter.

“We got to the spots where we needed to be and just communicated very well,” Thivierge said.

Sac State returns to Colberg Court tonight at 7 p.m. against Eastern Washington.