Just two months shy of completing her first year in the athletic office, Barbara Dearing is adjusting well to the Pacific Northwest and her role as associate athletic director in charge of business operations at Portland State. She conveys a sense of passion and determination when speaking of her relatively new position. Her proactive approach to business and genuine concern for the athletic department is overtly evident.
For junior middle blocker Erica Jepsen, summer is beginning to wind down. After spending time at her home in Kennewick, Wash., Jepsen is returning to Portland to coach summer volleyball camps, spend time with her teammates and earn a little extra money along the way. Last year, Jepsen earned All-Academic Big Sky Conference honors and was a solid contributor on the Vikings team that won the regular season conference championship. She joins five other juniors on the team who are preparing for another conference championship run.
Coming off a conference championship, the Portland State volleyball team is using this summer to gear up for a repeat. And with less than two months until the first match, all the off-season training is about to be put to the test. Adding two freshmen outside hitters in Megan Ellis and Alexa Rosendale, and one sophomore transfer middle blocker in Lana Zielke to the roster, the team is dominated by experienced upperclassmen.