The Bearkats defeated the Lumberjacks 25-21 25-17 25-18 in an hour and 25 minutes, handing SFA only its second loss in 2012 Southland Conference play.

The victory extended Sam Houston winning streak to four matches. It also avenged a five-set loss to SFA two weeks ago in Nacogdoches.

"After the SFA game in Nacogdoches, we became a different team," SHSU senior middle blocker Kim Black said. "We stopped looking at the outcome and looked toward having fun and playing point for point."

Sam Houston, now 9-9 for the season and 5-1 in league action, dominated from the start, out-pointing SFA 58 to 39. The Kats totaled 39 kills while the Jacks had 27.

The Bearkats, who opened the first set with a 9-2 lead, never trailed in the first or second set. SFA came out after the intermission and led twice early, but Sam Houston hung on with Bridgette Bennett serving out the final five points.

"Ninty percent of the time we were in control," SHSU head coach Brenda Gray said. "We gave an outstanding effort tonight."

Jill Ivy led SFA with nine kills as the Jacks dropped to 14-5 for the year and 5-2 in Southland play.

Sam Houston's front line totaled 10 blocks with Kim Black assisting on eight and Hawkins on six.

Tayler Gray ran the floor for SHSU, assisting on 36 kills and making 13 digs. Libero Christine Alfaro added 16 digs.

Sam Houston will play host to Northwestern State Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m.