Weber State University Athletics
Weber State University
Sacramento State
'Cats fall to Hornets
10/2/2011 4:04:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
OGDEN, Utah - It was the season in a microcosm.
Moments of brilliance, bounded by frustration have become the script for the Weber State University women's volleyball team.
The Wildcats, despite multiple strong moments, came up short on Saturday night, falling 25-20, 21-25, 25-18, 25-12 to Sacramento State at Swenson Gym in Big Sky Conference action.
The loss came despite one of Weber State's most spirited defensive efforts of the season, one that saw the Wildcats record a season-high 20.5 team blocks.
Sophomore outside hitter Briana Wilms had a career-high nine blocks, while junior middle blocker Emily Jones had eight, including two solo, and freshman Mackenzie Clark had seven for the Wildcats.
Junior outside hitter Bethany Wray had a season 16 digs and freshman Shelby Earl finished with a career-high 13.
Unfortunately for the Wildcats, the effort was undone by inconsistent offensive execution as WSU recorded just 26 kills, led by Wray and Clark with nine each. No other Weber State player recorded more than three.
Sacramento State (3-1 Big Sky, 8-9 overall) stormed out to a sizable lead in the first set, but the Wildcats (0-4, 0-16) clawed back within four before falling by five to give the Hornets a 1-0 lead in the match.
Weber State found itself trailing 19-7 in the second set before staging one of the most dramatic runs in Wildcat history as WSU ran off 15 consecutive points to take a 22-19 lead and then closed out the set by four to level the match at 1-1.
The Hornets, however, responded by raising their intensity over the final two sets and the Wildcats didn't match it as Sacramento State outscored WSU 50-30 in the final two sets to take the match.
Weber State will return to Big Sky Conference action on Friday, Oct. 7 at 4:30 p.m. against Montana at Swenson Gym as part of a three-match homestand.
