TURLOCK, Calif. --- For the first time since 1999, the Western Oregon volleyball team has started 4-0 on the season after sweeping Academy of Art (25-20, 25-10, 25-20) and Fresno Pacific (25-19, 25-23, 26-24) on Saturday at the Stanislaus State Tournament at Fitzpatrick Arena.

The start matches the 1999 team started 4-0 before losing its next contest - but would go 27-6 on the season and make it to the NAIA National Tournament. The last team to start 5-0 was the 1998 squad which started 9-0. The best start in WOU history was the 1996 team that started 14-0.

As for the action Saturday, WOU defeated Academy of Art in the morning - no set within five points. Madison Hornback led the team with 11 kills, four block assists and eight digs (only match in the tourney she didn't finish with double-digit kills and digs) while Bailee Hartsook added 10 kills, Laney O'Neill had a team-best 14 assists while Sophie Matlock had a team-high 18 digs.

In the afternoon matchup with Fresno Pacific, the contest was closer in terms of points - but not sets as WOU walked away with its third sweep of the tournament (lost just one set during the tournament). Hornback had 12 kills and 10 digs, Hartsook had seven kills, Kealani Rosa had a team-high 14 assists with four digs and two aces and Bella MacLellan had a WOU-best four block assists to go along with six kills.

Hornback earned Stan State Tournament MVP honors while Hartsook was also named to the all-tournament team.

WOU returns to action Thursday at the Mountain Lion Classic against host UC Colorado Springs at noon (PT).