A rivalry revisted

When the season began, few would have predicted that Saturday’s match featuring Sacramento State (25-6, 12-2) and Portland State (19-7, 12-3) would have postseason implications, much less Big Sky Conference Championship implications.

Experts’ forecasts aside, the match will showcase perennial powerhouse Sacramento State, winner of 10 straight Big Sky Conference Championships and currently sitting in first place again, and an ever-improving Viking squad that will be aiming for its first title since joining the conference in 1996.

“We have been looking forward to this game for a long time,” said sophomore outside hitter Marija Vojnovic.

Despite finishing second the last two seasons, a victory Saturday would be another important step for Portland State, a program that has the young nucleus to contend for the conference title in future years.

With a plethora of up-and-coming talent and the leadership of first-year head coach Michael Seemann and his staff, the Vikings could propel themselves into the forefront of the Big Sky volleyball picture for years to come, win or lose. But with a win, the Vikings would claim the right to host the conference tournament next season.

Regardless of the close five-game loss the Hornets handed the Vikings in the two squads’ first meeting in Sacramento, the Viking faithful should remain optimistic. Sacramento State has lost two Big Sky matches since then, and they will face a streaking hot Eastern Washington squad Friday night before heading to Portland for Saturday’s match.

The match will also provide Portland State followers their last opportunity to see this year’s squad play at home. The team will head to Sacramento the weekend following Thanksgiving for the Big Sky tournament, with a possible NCAA tournament birth on the line.