ISU Volleyball Hosts a Pair of Conference Matches

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POCATELLO, Idaho – The Idaho State volleyball team hosts a couple of Big Sky matches this week, with Sacramento State at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 1 and Portland State at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3 at Reed Gym. For the second time in as many seasons, ISU enters the second week of conference play with a 2-0 record. Currently, three teams in the BSC remain undefeated: Idaho State, Sacramento State and Eastern Washington. At least one team will tarnish its perfect conference record Thursday night following the ISU/Sacramento State match.

ABOUT SACRAMENTO STATE
This will be the 40th meeting between Idaho State and Sacramento State. The Bengals have not lost to the Hornets since Sept. 30, 2011.

Sacramento State returns 14 letter winners and all of its starters from last year's squad that finished 8-23 overall with a 3-13 mark in the Big Sky conference, good for a fifth-place tie in the South division.

Currently, the Hornets lead the Big Sky South with a 2-0 conference record and a 15-2 overall record. Sac State defeated Southern Utah 3-2 and Northern Arizona 3-1 in Sacramento, Calif. last week. Sacramento State is led by senior outside hitter Lauren Kissell who averages 3.92 kills per set and carries a .316 hitting percentage. Kissell ranks fourth in the BSC in kills and seventh in hitting percentage.

Sac State is averaging 13.88 kills per set with a .248 hitting percentage in addition to 12.69 assists per set. The Wildcats average 15.89 digs per set and have 149.0 total blocks on the season for a 2.29 blocks per set average.

Head Coach Ruben Volta is in his eighth season with the Hornets and is 108-130 overall.

ABOUT PORTLAND STATE
This will be the 53rd meeting between Idaho State and Portland State. ISU has won the last three meetings against the Vikings including a 3-1 win in the last meeting on Nov. 6, 2014.

Portland State returns four letterwinners and two starters from last year's team that finished with a 9-20 overall record and a 7-9 mark in conference play, good for sixth place and a trip to the Big Sky conference tournament.

Currently, PSU averages 12.2 kills per set with a .180 hitting percentage and 11.2 assists per set. The Vikings average 12.9 digs per set and have 107.5 total blocks on the season for a 2.1 blocks per set average.

The Hornets are coached by Head Coach Michael Seeman who is in his ninth year with Portland State. Seeman carries a156-99 overall record with a 4-10 record this season.