Online Exclusive: Viks host Trinity Western

The Portland State women’s volleyball squad returns to action Wednesday evening when they host the Trinity Western Spartans from Vancouver, B.C., in an exhibition match at the Peter Stott Center.

The reigning regular-season conference champion Vikings (8-6, 4-0 Big Sky Conference) are coming off back-to-back 3-0 sweeps of conference opponents Weber State and Idaho State on Friday and Saturday, respectively. Although the exhibition against the Spartans will not affect conference standings, or even the Vikings’ overall record, Portland State will be looking to continue its recent hot streak.

After beginning the season with a 3-6 record—including twin five-set near upsets over visiting Pac-10 opponents Oregon State and No. 19 Oregon—the Vikings improved when it mattered and won their last five games. Their 4-0 start to conference play also marks the third time in the past four seasons that they have accomplished such a feat.

A major contribution to the current winning streak is the senior leadership of outside hitter Whitney Phillips and middle blocker Lana Zielke.

Phillips, who tallied 16 kills and 10 digs on Friday for her team-leading eighth double-double this season, chalked up 36 kills last weekend and led the floor in kills both nights. To date, she has led the Vikings in kills in every match this season and her astounding averages of 5.13 kills and 5.71 points per set lead the Big Sky Conference.

Zielke recorded 10 blocks last weekend to go along with her 12 kills and two service aces. She leads the team in blocks and her average of 1.04 blocks per set puts her at fourth on the conference’s individual leader board. As a team, Portland State’s average of 1.4 service aces per set tops the conference charts.

Senior defensive specialist and libero Diana Villalpando—who moved up from her role as backup defender to starting libero earlier this month, after then-starter Nicole Bateham sustained an injury—paced Portland State in digs last weekend. She tallied 31 digs over the two matches and led the court in digs both nights.

“[Villalpando] has anchored the offense with dependable, accurate passing,” head coach Michael Seemann said in a recent press release. “She is doing a great job covering our attackers and making some huge plays for us. Defensively, she is putting up great numbers and she continues to increase her range on the court.”

Saturday’s second set against Idaho State progressed to a final set-score of 30-28 and marked the first time the Vikings have scored 30 points in a single set since the NCAA changed the women’s volleyball rules in 2008, moving from 30-point sets to the current 25-point scoring format.

After winning the Big Sky Conference regular season title last season—as they also did in 2007—the Vikings are seeking their third such title and second trip to the NCAA Tournament in four seasons.

The exhibition match between Trinity Western and Portland State is set to begin at 7 p.m. at the Stott Center.

 

Weekend results

Friday

Weber State                             0

at PSU                                     3

Set scores: 25-21, 25-18, 25-14

 

Saturday

Idaho State                             0

at PSU                                    3

Set scores: 25-22, 30-28, 27-25

What’s next?

Trinity Western

at

PSU

Wed, Sept. 29, 7 p.m.

*Exhibition

 

PSU

at

Sacramento State

Sat, Oct. 2, 7 p.m.