BOX SCORE: Quarterfinal - Sac. State

PORTLAND -- Northern Colorado's volleyball team knocked off Sacramento State for the third time this season Friday afternoon in a Big Sky Conference-quarterfinal win inside Portland State's Stott Center.

The Bears got double-digit kills from three players (juniors Allison Raguse, Kenzie Shreeve and Taylor Smith) and a career-high defensive effort from Breanna VanDerMost (29 digs) to end the Hornets' season with a 3-1 victory (25-23, 18-25, 25-15, 25-15).

Sacramento State had won the previous six Big Sky Conference tournament titles.

"Our middles scored really well today," Northern Colorado coach Lyndsey Benson said, "so we were able to go to them quick in transition. They did a great job.

"And our blocking really improved throughout the match -- that was a big factor in shutting down their three key hitters. They definitely had three dominant hitters, but we slowed them down as the match progressed.

Shreeve, who Thursday night was announced as Northern Colorado's first All-Big Sky Conference first-team player, led the Bears with 16 kills against Sacramento State. Raguse and Smith added 13 kills apiece.

Senior Lauren Carter dished out 49 assists.

On the defensive end, Northern Colorado had four players scoop up double-digit digs. Shreeve achieved a double-double with her 17 digs, while VanDerMost had the best defensive match of her three-year career in the blue and gold.

Sophomore Jaclyn Bruns and freshman Amanda Arterburn had 13 and 12 digs respectively.

Overall, the relatively quick match was the just the type of victory Benson and the Bears were hoping for. They won't get much time to recover before facing the Vikings later tonight.

"We'll rest this afternoon," Benson said, "and be ready for a big semifinal match against Portland State."