New life

In the midst of a three-game losing streak, and after having their 27-game conference home winning streak snapped last Friday, the volleyball team responded by defeating Weber State in straight sets Thursday night at the Stott Center.

The win improves Portland State’s record to 6-3 in conference play and ended Weber’s State winning streak at four games.

“We’re just taking it one game at a time right now,” said head coach Michael Seemann. “Weber State is a very good team, this is an important win for us.”

After losing their last three games, the team knew how critical this game was.

“We were fired up for this game. We knew we were playing uncharacteristically and that we could play at a higher level,” Seemann said.

The Vikings jumped out to a 6-1 lead in the first set led by junior Nique Fradella’s three service aces. Weber State would rally back to tie the set at 12, and eventually take a 24-21 lead.

However, junior outside hitter Marija Vojnovic came up huge again for the Vikings with two consecutive kills to reclaim the lead 26-25. Junior Lindsey Steele served up the last point of the set to give the Vikings a 27-25 victory.

“The first game was very important,” coach Seemann said. “We played very solid and responded well in a critical situation.”

The Vikings carried the momentum into the second set, defeating Weber State 25-22.

Junior outside hitter Jennifer Oney, who recorded six kills in the set, and senior libero Jalen Pendon Thomas, who had 6 digs, dominated that set.

“We had to fight tonight,” Oney said. “It was great the way we came together and played as a team.”

Down early in the third set 10-6, the Vikings responded with a nice run to tie the set at 17 before eventually winning 25-19. The return of junior middle blocker Erica Jepsen was a key factor in helping Portland State get back in the win column.

“We performed some critical and timely blocking. Erica at the net was huge for us tonight,” Seemann said. Vojnovic continued her stellar play of late, leading the Vikings with 15 kills, while Oney managed 11 kills of her own. The Vikings also got a strong defensive effort from their back row, with four players recording double-digit digs.

The victory keeps Portland State just a game behind Northern Colorado for the Big Sky Conference lead. The Vikings host Idaho State on Saturday night at the Stott Center.