First round disappointment

Just one week after setting school history by clinching a spot in the NCAA Volleyball Championships, a physically over-matched Portland State squad was easily disposed of by the Washington Huskies.

Playing in front of a hometown crowd of 1,635 the host Huskies dominated the net and distributed the ball for a potent offensive attack. Sophomore outside hitter Kindra Carlson and junior Jilly Collymore both had eight kills but were just two of the many clear advantages that Washington held over the visiting Portland State squad. The Huskies hit .284 on the night and sophomore setter Jenna Hagglund had five players with at least six kills.

The Vikings won the Big Sky Conference primarily because of their ability to play solid defense, make crisp passes and win the service and serve return battle. On Friday, the Vikings failed in all three departments, making unforced errors, bad passes and not registering a single block during the three game sweep.

“I’m very disappointed,” said head coach Michael Seemann. “Disappointed in our execution and the way we played. Obviously Washington is a very good team but we felt like we at least wanted to rely on the things that got us here. All of those areas broke down at one point or another during the match.”

The Huskies came into the game having won 13 of 14 matches as the second place squad from the powerful and deep PAC-10 Conference and after a 25-11 dismantling of the Vikings in the first set, coasted for the sweep in the final two sets, 25-15, 25-14.

“I think we’re used to a high level of physicality because of the PAC-10,” said Hagglund. “I think those were good athletes, but it’s different.

Coming into the match, Portland State knew that they would have to be nearly perfect to defeat the Huskies and shock the national volleyball scene. But after cutting an initial Washington lead to 11-8, the Vikings allowed Washington to go on a 11-1 run to ice the first set.

The first set was also the earliest onset of the Portland State defense struggling to consistently return Washington’s serves. The Huskies would end the night with 12 total aces.

“I think that club will absolutely go deep in the tournament. They are much improved from earlier in the year when we played them,” Seemann said.

Washington moves on to face Santa Clara, who defeated Kansas State, in the second round on Saturday.

But for Portland State, the team’s best finish since the school joined the Division I rankings twelve years ago, the season comes to a dissapointing end.

“They are a really physical team and they put up a really big block,” said junior setter Nique Fradella, one of the few Vikings players who looked comfortable on the big stage against a premier opponent. “All around they are physical at every position and they were making plays that we aren’t used to seeing.”

Senior libero Jalen Pendon-Thomas will be the only member of the team that will not have an opportunity to replicate the successful campaign next season as the Tacoma native will graduate this year. Nevertheless, Pendon-Thomas felt grateful for the opportunity to play in Seattle and close to home.

“It is special playing here. Just knowing that people can come and watch you play is special and nice,” Pendon-Thomas said.