ONLINE EXCLUSIVE: Volleyball picked first in pre-season poll

When the Portland State volleyball team began their fall practice earlier this week, they did so with a freshly painted target on their backs. For the first time in school history, the Vikings were selected as the preseason conference favorite to win the Big Sky Conference.

Last season, behind a balanced offensive attack and stellar defensive play, the Vikings won the Big Sky regular season championship in head coach Michael Seemann’s first season as head coach.

The Vikings would later fall to perennial powerhouse Sacramento State in the Big Sky Conference championship game.

But after losing only one senior, middle blocker Michelle Segun, to graduation and returning the deepest roster in the Big Sky, the rest of the conference’s coaches selected the Vikings as the favorite headed into 2008.

Should Seeman’s squad repeat their successful season of 2007, they would head into the Big Sky Tournament at the end of November as the clear-cut favorite. Because the Vikings won the regular season last year, they also claimed the right to host that tournament for the first time in Portland State history.

Returning to the court for the Vikings will be junior outside hitter Lindsey Steele who missed all of last season with a knee injury. Joining Steele are fellow outside hitters Jennifer Oney and Marija Vojnovic.

Returning all-conference performer Dominique Fradella will also return as the setter and floor-leader for the Vikings.

The volleyball team begins play on August 29 at a tournament in Corvallis.

Box:

Big Sky Preseason Volleyball PollTeamPoints (1st place votes)

1. Portland State 61 (5)

2. Sacramento State 53 (3)

3. Weber State 50

4. Eastern Washington 49 (1)

5. Northern Colorado 34

6. Montana 30

7. Northern Arizona 24

8. Idaho State 12

9. Montana State 11