The Portland State women’s volleyball team had an outstanding season in 2012, taking home the Big Sky regular-season title. This month, they’ll say goodbye to two graduating seniors: outside hitter Megan Ellis and setter Dominika Kristinikova. Both players crossed borders to get to the Park Blocks—Ellis is from British Columbia, Kristinikova from Slovakia—but they found a home on the Viking squad over the last four years, establishing themselves as leaders on a deep and talented roster.
International seniors share success
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The Portland State women’s volleyball team had an outstanding season in 2012, taking home the Big Sky regular-season title. This month, they’ll say goodbye to two graduating seniors: outside hitter Megan Ellis and setter Dominika Kristinikova. Both players crossed borders to get to the Park Blocks—Ellis is from British Columbia, Kristinikova from Slovakia—but they found a home on the Viking squad over the last four years, establishing themselves as leaders on a deep and talented roster.
Ellis was a key attacker for Portland State, while Kristinikova was known for her serving and back row play. The pair wrapped up their final season in style, playing a crucial role in the Vikings’ run to the conference title.
Late-season struggles dropped the team into second place in the Big Sky standings heading into the final matchup of the year with the Idaho State University Bengals, but the first-place Bengals suffered a surprising upset in the penultimate weekend, which set up a match between the two schools to decide the regular-season title. Ellis and Kristinikova came through in a big way for the team as the Vikings claimed a dramatic victory over Idaho State. Kristinikova tallied 13 digs in the win, including several critical saves, and Ellis completed her final season by closing out the match with a kill to clinch their third regular-season title together.
“In the end it was a true team effort, with everyone contributing to the win, and [it was] one of the most exciting games I can remember us playing,” Ellis said.
Ellis wrapped up her three majors—supply and logistics, marketing and advertising management—in winter term, while Kristinikova will leave PSU with a degree in graphic design. They will walk together in the spring ceremony, and both plan to continue their studies after graduation. They’ll take four years of memories with them.
“I feel like this school was a great fit for me, and it was a wonderful experience,”
Kristinikova said. “It will be hard to leave.”
Ellis echoed the sentiment. “I will always consider Portland a second home,” she said.
