Road gloom

After beginning conference play with a strong 5-0 start, the volleyball team has struggled of late, losing their last two matches on the road.

The latest defeat came at Eastern Washington (23-25, 26-24, 25-23, 25-21) on Oct. 10, and drops the Vikings (12-5, 5-2 BSC) into a first-place tie with Northern Colorado (11-5, 5-2 BSC).

Despite winning the first game 25-23, and holding leads in others, Portland State was unable to capitalize on pivotal moments during the match, according to head coach Michael Seemann.

“We actually put ourselves in a good position with the way we played, but we just didn’t execute at the end of games,” Seemann said. “We didn’t ever finish when we had the opportunities.”

Still playing without a key component in junior middle blocker Erica Jepsen, who has missed the last several games with an ankle injury, the Vikings have been unable to control the net or execute their offensive plays as well as necessary, according to Seemann.

Junior outside hitter Marija Vojnovic led the team with 22 kills along with 11 digs, but there were few other bright spots for the Vikings who have not won in Cheney since both teams joined the Big Sky Conference in 1996.

“Nobody left the game feeling good. We felt like we had played well and we were in a position to win not only each game, but also the match,” Seemann said.

Joining Vojnovic with a double of her own was junior setter ‘Nique Fradella, who recorded 38 assists and 13 digs.

Seemann said that the team would need more consistency from all of the players should they continue their dominance in Big Sky Conference play.

“Vojnovic carried us for a bit, but hopefully we have now learned that we need more from everybody if we want to be successful.”

After a difficult stretch that included road battles in five of their last seven matches, Portland State returns home to the Stott Center where they did not lose a conference match all of last season.

Jepsen could possibly play this weekend if necessary, Seeman said, but fans can expect to see her on Oct. 23, when the Vikings face Weber State at home.

“I think everybody is looking forward to returning home and playing in our gym and in front of our fans,” Seemann said.