Hornets keep playoff hopes alive with victory over Weber State

Satchi Hover

Sacramento State’s volleyball team kept its postseason hopes intact with a victory over Weber State Saturday evening at Colberg Court.

The Hornets (14-15, 9-9) defeated the Wildcats in straight sets (25-14, 25-20, 25-13) and claimed sole possession of sixth place in the Big Sky Conference after Northern Colorado lost to Portland State.

This victory was important for Sac State as the top six teams in the conference are eligible to compete in the Big Sky Tournament.

Senior right-side hitter Kayla Beal collected a match-high 10 kills and a .400 hitting percentage in her final game in front of the Sac State fans. Fellow senior and middle blocker Chelcy Motes tallied 7 kills and a .700 percentage.

Hornet head coach Ruben Volta was impressed with the way his team handled itself, particularly the seniors.  

“We served tough enough to keep them out of their system offensively and at important times we played really good defense,” Volta said. “It really started with the seniors early on in the match.”

Hornet seniors Beal, Motes, setter Hannah Hettinga and setter and defensive specialist Katie Aprile were honored in a pre-match ceremony as their friends and family joined them on the court.

Beal said the ceremony was humbling but was keen on helping her team win.  

“It felt really good but we were not distracted by senior night,” Beal said. “We came out and played hard. We needed this for postseason so it was nice to just come out and play.”

Hettinga expressed similar sentiments on tonight’s affair.   

“After being here for four and a half years, it feels really good to end with a win on our home court,” Hettinga said. “We have the last two matches which are really important and we’ll prepare for those Monday and Tuesday in practice.”

As a team, the Hornets hit .291 and compiled 39 kills, while limiting Weber State to just 19 kills and a .044 percentage.

Sophomore outside hitter Rebecca Fuchs had 7 kills and a .400 percentage to lead Weber State.

As the Hornets prepare for its final road trip, Volta said he is not focused on other teams chasing them in the standings.

“Obviously every match from here on out is important, and it has been this way for the past two weeks,” Volta said. “I don’t want to worry about other teams. I want us to play well and win.”

Sac State will travel to Montana as they prepare for a Thursday night matchup with Montana State (6-23, 4-14), followed by a matchup Saturday with fifth-seeded Montana (13-14, 10-8).