Killing the competition
With a season full of accomplishments and records now in the books, the Portland State volleyball team turns its attention to the biggest prize at the Big Sky Conference Tournament in host Sacramento State’s gym the Hornet’s Nest. On Friday, the second-seeded Vikings are scheduled to face off against Eastern Washington, who defeated Montana by a score of three games to one in Thursday’s semifinal match.
Coming into the Big Sky Tournament, the Vikings have been playing like they are on a mission. During the final stretch of the season, the Vikings entered each match with the mindset to win at all costs. Not only has the team reeled off six straight victories and lost only a single match in its last 10 contests, it has also defeated every squad in the conference during the regular season for its second consecutive year.
Despite being edged out by arch nemesis Sacramento State for the regular season crown, the Vikings finished their regular season schedule with their best conference record since joining the Big Sky in 1996. This season the Viks boast a 14-2 conference record, with their only losses coming in road matches to Sacramento State and Eastern Washington. Also, Portland State swept conference foes at the Stott Center, compiling a perfect 8-0 record against Big Sky teams in the comfort of their own gym.
”The fact that we are 14-2 in conference this year should give us some confidence coming into the tournament. We have played some terrific volleyball this season and have accomplished some things that nobody in the Division I era at Portland State has accomplished,” said head coach Jeff Mozzochi.
As if the Vikings team accomplishments weren’t enough to validate this season as something special, three Vikings were named to the all-conference team for the first time in program history on Tuesday. Senior outside hitter Jessica Frederick and freshman setter Dominique Fradella, who was also named outstanding freshman, earned Big Sky second-team honors, as senior Jessica Brodie was recognized as a Big Sky first-team performer. In addition to being an all-conference member for her third time, Brodie was also named the Big Sky’s most valuable player. The athletically gifted Viking led the conference in service aces per game with .52 and kills per game with 5.59, ending the regular season ninth in the nation in kills per game.
The Vikings hope that their individual stars will continue to impress, but they are aware that if they want to hoist the Big Sky Tournament title after the championship match on Saturday a complete team effort is required.
”I think that the players would agree those awards are really team awards. They are a reflection of where this team is and the respect that coaches in this conference have for our team,” Mozzochi said. “The key to the tournament will be how the team plays together as a unit. We have had some tremendous individual performances this season and have some spectacular individuals on this team, but this week it’s about the team, not the individual.”
Playing as a cohesive unit will be especially important against third-seeded Eastern Washington, who, after beginning the season 0-5, have been the ultimate team of late, with 11 wins in their last 12 matches. The sizzling-hot Eagles have soared above the competition mainly due to two key statistical categories, hitting percentage and kills per game. The Viks’ Brodie may top the conference in kills per game for individual players, but the Eagles are perched atop the Big Sky with a team total of 16.11 kills per game. Eastern Washington also claims the highest mark in hitting percentage with a remarkable .242 clip this season.
”Eastern Washington is playing some very good volleyball at this point. They got off to a rough start but they have been pretty good over the last half of conference play. They are also loaded with some seniors that are anxious to make their senior season something special.”
This is the third straight season Portland State and Eastern Washington will meet in a semifinal match. In both of their previous meetings, the Eagles have illustrated their dominance by defeating the Viks to take their place in the championship match. Last season, the Eagles beat the Viks in just four games to advance, led by sensational performances by outside hitters Addie Webster and Brittney Page. The duo, Webster now a sophomore and Page a senior, are still a major cog in the Eagles’ attack, placing in the top 10 for kills per game in the Big Sky. In order to change their fortunes in postseason play versus the Eagles, the Viks will definitely need to find an answer for the Eastern Washington’s talented duo.
After completing their most successful season ever, a win over the Eagles in their semifinal contest on Friday would propel the Vikings to the Big Sky Tournament’s championship match for the first time in program history.
”The players on this team feel like they still have something to accomplish this season. They want a Big Sky championship,” head coach Jeff Mozzochi said. “The entire team is focused on what they need to improve as a team and be ready to go on Friday. If we remember what we did to get to this point and continue to play like that in the conference tournament, I think we have a good shoot.”
