Author: Rosemary Hansen

The Portland State volleyball team was spectacular this past weekend, beating both of their opponents on the road. On Friday evening, the Vikings swept through the last-place Weber State Wildcats in a straight-set victory at Ogden. Portland State then redeemed a loss earlier this season to the Idaho State Bengals with a hard-fought five set victory in Pocatello. The pair of victories moved the Vikings into a tie for second in the Big Sky with a record of 11-11 overall and 7-3 in conference.

The Portland State volleyball team played one of their best matches of the season last weekend, now they must find a way to take that momentum on the road as the Vikings face the Weber State Wildcats and the Idaho State Bengals. The matches mark the start of the second round of Big Sky play, as Portland State has met every team in the conference at least once this season. The first time these teams met, the Vikings registered a split, beating Weber State but losing to Idaho State. The Vikings are currently tied for third place with Idaho State with a record of 9-11 overall and 5-3 in conference.

The Portland State women’s volleyball team had their eyes on the prize Saturday night as they beat Dam Cup rival Eastern Washington in three sets. The sweep earned Portland State two more points in the race for the Dam Cup, and moved the Vikings into a third place tie in the Big Sky standings with Idaho State with a record of 9-11 overall and 5-3 conference.

Megan Ellis understands what it takes to be a leader. A native of Burnaby, British Columbia, the junior outside hitter has taken on more of a leadership role with the Portland State volleyball team this season, standing out as the Vikings’ most consistent and threatening offensive weapon. This upcoming Saturday, the team will need all of Ellis’ ability and experience, as the Vikings will host Dam Cup rival the Eastern Washington Eagles at the Stott Center.

The Sacramento State Hornet’s home court, named The Nest, has been a historically tough place to play for the Portland State Vikings and this past weekend was no different. The Hornets swept the visiting Vikings on Friday evening in straight sets to make the all-time series at The Nest between the two rivals 17-1 in favor of home team. The loss moves Portland State into a tie for fourth place in the Big Sky standings with a record of 8-11 overall and 4-3 in conference. The Hornets are now 5-1 in Big Sky play and move into a first-place tie with Northern Colorado.

Portland State volleyball has seen quite a turn for the better in the past couple weeks, but their recent rise will be put to the test when the Vikings hit the road to take on Sacramento State on Saturday. Last Friday, Portland State took down undefeated Northern Arizona in the Stott Center, but split the weekend with a loss to Northern Colorado, putting the Viks in a tie for fourth place in the Big Sky with a record of 8-10 overall and 4-2 in conference.

The Portland State volleyball team opened the weekend with a dominating win against undefeated Northern Arizona, breaking the visiting Lumberjack’s 12-game winning streak at the Stott Center on Friday night. Unfortunately for the Viks, it was a short stay on cloud nine, as the team couldn’t quite get over the hump in their comeback bid against the Northern Colorado Golden Bears, losing 15-12 in the fifth set. The weekend results move Portland State (8-10 overall, 4-2 conference) into a third place tie with Eastern Washington in the Big Sky conference standings.

The Portland State women’s volleyball team rallied for back-to-back five-set wins last weekend. Now they must take that momentum home as the Viks take on the undefeated Northern Arizona Lumberjacks on Friday and last season’s Big Sky runner-up the Northern Colorado Golden Bears on Saturday. Portland State currently stands at a 7-9 overall with a 3-1 conference record.

Portland State volleyball swept their way through Big Sky country this past weekend, defeating both Montana and Montana State in a pair of thrilling 3-2 victories. Playing eight underclassmen, including four freshmen, Portland State has begun their conference campaign at 3-1 with a 7-9 record overall— good enough for third place in the early Big Sky standings.

The Portland State women’s volleyball team sent the last non-conference match into a fourth set, but ultimately, it was the Portland Pilots who had the final say. In a tough 3-1 loss, the Viks ended their non-conference record at 4-8 with plenty of promise, but lots of work ahead of them. With a young team taking the floor this season, Portland State is fighting to find a solid lineup and some consistency as they head into the upcoming Big Sky opener.

As defending Big Sky champions, the Viking women’s volleyball team has a lot to live up to this season. After graduating four key players from the successful 2010 roster, a younger team will hit the court for their first match at the end of the month. The preseason schedule is set to be a competitive one, and the team will use the non-conference action to prepare for the regular season beginning in mid-September.