Sacramento State opened Big Sky Conference play by splitting their first two games against Montana and Weber State.

“[Our team is] resilient,” freshman outside hitter Keonahi’ilani Solaita said. “We keep pushing no matter if we’re down or even if we’re up. We just push and we have that connection.”

Sac State’s first conference matchup started on the road against the Montana Grizzlies. The Grizzlies came in winners of eight in a row and held the Hornets to a season-low three blocks while outpacing them in every other statistical category.

The Grizzlies won in a clean sweep (25-21, 25-23, 25-19). Sophomore outside hitter Victoria Marthaler led the team in kills with 17. Solaita was second with 10 kills.

Back at home on Saturday, the Hornets flipped the script, sweeping the Weber State Wildcats in commanding fashion (25-14, 25-22, 25-12).

Sac State had a hit percentage of .383, compared to the Wildcats’ .191. The Hornets dominated the match on the stat sheet. Marthaler, who transferred from Weber State, had a game-high 18 kills. Solaita set her career-high with 11 kills.

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Game 1: Montana: 3, Sac State: 0

The Big Sky opener on Thursday was a tough match for Sac State.

The first set was close, with the score being within four points throughout. After being tied up at 18, the Grizzlies would go on a 7-3 run to end the set, 25-21. The Grizzlies hit .394, compared to Sac State’s .353.

The second set mirrored the first, with both teams going back and forth until point 12, when Montana pulled away. The Hornets struggled in set two, hitting .25, and the Grizzlies outmatched the Sac State’s kills, 19-12. The last set saw Montana come back from down 4-0 and take a 7-5 lead early on. The Grizzlies would never trail again, winning 25-19.

“Sometimes you play an opponent that’s playing really well, and we couldn’t quite respond,” head coach Ruben Volta said. “It was close but we didn’t play good enough defense and pass well enough.”

Here’s a couple highlights from the @SacStateVB vs. @MontanaGrizVB last Thursday.

One of Keona Solaita’s career-high 10 kills pic.twitter.com/fH4nzj4J7t

— Alex Grado (@AGknwID) September 29, 2025

Game 2: Sac State: 3, Weber State: 0

In the second game, the Hornets bounced back with a statement win over the Weber State Wildcats.

The Hornets had 15 more kills than Weber State and had 10 aces, compared to the Wildcats who managed just one. The only time Sac State trailed was in the second set, before they ended it with a 6-0 run.

To add to the drama, the Wildcats were the favorites to win the Big Sky Conference. It was a reunion for Marthaler, battling her former team.

Marthaler was asked if there was some extra motivation ahead of the game.

“Definitely,” Marthaler said. “If there wouldn’t be, something would be wrong.”

Marthaler did add that the team knew they had to play better after a tough loss.

“We realized what we’re capable of,” Marthaler said. “We knew we had to come in and fight and it wasn’t going to be easy.”

And now here’s some highlights from @SacStateVB in their Big Sky home opener vs. @weberstatevb

a great dig from Greta Davis leading to a Victoria Marthaler kill pic.twitter.com/jONHOeB08h

— Alex Grado (@AGknwID) September 29, 2025

The game reflected a team mindset with seven different Hornet players contributing to at least one point.

“It showed us what we can do,” Marthaler said. “We have so much depth that anybody can come in and play well.”

One of those players was Solaita, who is steadily improving as her playing time increased in the last few weeks. She’s had at least six kills in her last six games and set her career-high in kills against the Wildcats. She gave the credit to her teammates and coach.

“I give it all to our setters. I really couldn’t do it without them,” Solaita said. “Ruben kept uplifting me too, believing in me. That really helped build my confidence.”

Solaita said the Hornets’ bond as a team seems to be growing and so does their chemistry.

“We can joke around with each other. We can have fun,” Solaita said. “They uplift me when I’m down or in my head.”

Sac State will have a break before embarking on a three-game road trip beginning with Portland State on Friday at 7 p.m.