The 2007-08 school year is coming to an end, and with that, all the accomplishments, failures and hard work of nearly 350 student-athletes will be relegated to the Viking record books.
In a year that saw the arrival of Jerry Glanville to lead the football program to new heights, it was volleyball, basketball and golf that made the biggest impacts in the hearts and minds of Portland State fans throughout the Northwest.
The volleyball team finally made it over the hump to take the Big Sky Regular Season title, men’s basketball ran away with the Big Sky regular season and tournament championships on their way to a first-ever appearance in the NCAA Tournament and women’s golf responded to a mid-season coaching change to capture the Vikings’ fourth Big Sky Golf Championship in six years.
VolleyballWith all the attention focused on the man in black that was holding practices at 6 a.m. outside of the Stott Center, not many were aware of what head volleyball coach Michael Seemann was assembling on the inside.
Behind the leadership of lone senior, middle blocker Michelle Segun, the Vikings began demanding attention following a nine-match winning streak that stretched throughout September, into October, and put Portland State in place to contend for a Big Sky Championship.
“Winning the conference championship was a goal that we have been working towards for a long time,” Seemann said.
After finishing in second place in 2005 and 2006 to conference powerhouse Sacramento State, the Vikings defeated the Hornets in four games at the Stott Center on Nov. 17, 2007 to earn their first-ever Big Sky Regular Season Championship. The victory wrestled away the conference Championship from the Hornets, who had been crowned as champions in each of the previous 10 years.
In addition to securing an undefeated season at the Stott Center (10-0), the victory also gave Portland State the right to host the Big Sky Tournament in 2008.
The Vikings were fueled by the offensive prowess of Segun, a first-team All-Big Sky selection, and sophomore setter Dominique Fradella, who earned a spot on the All-Big Sky second team. Sophomore outside hitter Marija Vojnovic was named honorable mention All-Big Sky.
BasketballEntering the season, the men’s basketball squad had hopes of contending for a Big Sky title. After a tumultuous first two months of the season that saw the Vikings hampered by injuries and slowed by the introduction of six new faces, they found themselves playing average basketball as 2007 came to a close.
The new year, however, offered the Vikings a fresh start, and they took full advantage. Winning an astonishing 14 consecutive Big Sky contests, Portland State went 16-3 from Jan. 3 through the end of the season, running their record to an all-time high 23 wins and just 10 losses.
Led by junior point guard Jeremiah Dominguez, a transfer from the University of Portland, the Vikings dominated the Big Sky en route to their second Big Sky Regular Season Championship and first-ever Big Sky Tournament Championship. The victory in the Tournament Championship earned them a berth in the NCAA Tournament.
The Vikings’ run during the second half of the season ignited a dormant fan base that erupted March 12, 2008, and rushed the court at the Rose Garden to celebrate the team’s championship win over Northern Arizona.
As a reward for winning the Big Sky, Portland State was given a No. 16 seed in the NCAA Tournament and a first-round match-up with the eventual national champion, the Kansas Jayhawks. Overmatched, the Vikings were defeated 85-61 in Omaha, Neb on March 20.
For his play, Dominguez was named Big Sky Conference Player of the Year as well as Big Sky Newcomer of the Year. Senior guard Deonte Huff was a first-team All-Big Sky selection and senior center Scott Morrison was recognized as the Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year, in addition to making the All-Big Sky second-team.
“I wish I had another season to do it again, it was magical,” Huff said. “It was like a burden off our shoulders. Seeing everyone happy and having fun, that’s not something everyone gets the opportunity to experience.”
GolfThe most successful program in recent history at Portland State, the women’s golf team added an improbable Big Sky Championship to the trophy case this spring, their fourth in the last six seasons.
Following the fall portion of the golf season, the team was dealt a blow when then head coach Felicia Johnston resigned to spend more time with her family.
Taking over the program mid-season, Takaishi, named head coach on Feb. 5, was faced with coaching and motivating a talented group that had been projected to finish fifth in the Big Sky during the preseason coaches poll.
In just a little over three months, Takaishi had the Vikings poised and prepared to challenge for the Big Sky Championship.
“To be one of the top 63 teams in the nation is a big accomplishment for our team,” said junior Kayla Morinaga.
Sophomore Hannah Bews led the Vikings to the team title April 21-23 at Foothills Golf Club in Phoenix, Ariz., finishing the tournament at four over par, scoring 73-75-72=220. Portland State edged Northern Arizona by two strokes and tournament favorite Eastern Washington by three.
Bews, from Hampshire, United Kingdom, also took home the individual title. Freshmen Alexia Brown finished ninth at the Big Sky Championships and Morinaga finished in a tie for tenth.