Coast to coast

With the release of the 2009–10 Portland State women’s basketball schedule last week, it is clear that this is a make-or-break year for the Vikings.

The team is slated to play 29 games, 15 of which will be at home. However, just because the Vikings will spend about half their time in the comforts of the Stott Center does not mean their matchups will be a breeze.

“I wanted to make it a very challenging schedule—make it a challenging schedule at home as well,” said head coach Sherri Murrell, who is entering her third season at the helm of the Vikings.

Accomplishing the best winning percentage in school history (.703) Murrell has proven herself a trusted and capable coach—and, deservingly, her contract has been extended through 2015.

The increased difficulty in the schedule shows that the Vikings have definitely reached a higher maturity level.
To start the season on Nov. 14, the Vikings will face the PAC-10 Washington Huskies.

“It’s a great home opener against a top-level team in the PAC-10,” Murrell said. “We’re looking forward to the challenge.”

While Murrell does not believe in such a thing as a “must-win” for the team, if the Vikings have any chance of making it to the national stage, they have to at least make a decent showing against the big dogs—pardon the pun.

Just over two weeks after the Vikings take on the Huskies, the team will face another tough stretch against UC Santa Barbara and Gonzaga, both of which made it to the NCAA Tournament last season. If the Vikings don’t make a valiant effort against the Huskies, then they only have those two weeks to fix the problem.
One thing is for sure, with the loss of star player Kelsey Kahle, the team is going to have to do some adjusting in a short amount of time.

Murrell has signed two players for the freshman class and is looking for more to round out the team.
With now-senior point guard Claire Faucher stepping into a position of leadership, the Vikings must determine—and determine quickly—who will be her No. 2?

So it’s like this: The Vikings have the momentum, they have a great schedule, they have Faucher, but can they put it all together in the perfect way to be the team they should be after two stellar seasons?

Because in the end, you can have an incredible record turnaround, you can play in the WNIT, but if it’s not March Madness, then what is it?