Simple goal: championship

There is no hesitation in second-year head coach Sherri Murrell’s voice when she describes the sort of expectations she has for her women’s basketball team this season: “We have a simple goal: We want to win the Big Sky Tournament. We want the chance to play in the NCAA Tournament.”

With the return of most of the integral players from last year’s squad that rumbled to a 22-9 record (11-5 Big Sky), the program’s best in Division I history, this lofty goal hardly seems out of reach.

The Big Sky coaches and media polls seems to agree that the Vikings are on their way up, projecting them to finish second in the Big Sky, a notch ahead of their surprising third-place finish last year.

But a familiar foe still looms above them, as Montana was tabbed to win the Big Sky for the second year in a row.

“Montana is still the biggest threat,” Murrell said. “They returned all of their big hitters–all their fire power is back. They’re going to be a tough team to beat.”

The Vikings’ quest for a Big Sky title is spurred on by one of the most potent offenses not only in the conference, but in the nation as well.

With the return of Portland State’s one-two punch of junior guard Claire Faucher, an All-American Honorable Mention last season, and senior forward Kelsey Kahle, an All-Big Sky Honorable Mention pick, the Vikings will look to attack fast and hard.

“Our offense is fueled by running, and we can flat out score,” Murrell said. “We were 12th in the nation in scoring last season, so we have no trouble putting points on the board.”

The Vikings’ run-and-gun style of play makes for entertaining basketball, with high-scoring games and stuffed statistic sheets.

Kahle’s career average of 16.9 points per game ranks as third best in Portland State history, and Faucher’s 8.84 assists per game last season led the entire nation.

But there are two sides to each coin, and Murrell knows that a hard-hitting offense alone cannot win a championship.

Her squad’s “push-forward” style of play can, at times, leave them vulnerable to counter-attack. As the season opener is just around the corner, the Vikings are working to get tougher on the other side of the ball.

“We need to get better defensively, that’s a huge priority right now,” Murrell said. “We need to get better at rebounding, to box out on both ends. We have made it a huge emphasis.”

Controlling the PaintLast season, the Vikings struggled with teams that had physical players inside, and Murrell would often platoon junior Erin Yankus and sophomore Courtney Cremer.

With a talented group of guards, including newcomer freshman Eryn Jones and transfer Jamie Roupp, Portland State’s real challenge will be interior defense and solid rebounding.

If the Vikings can keep other teams from pounding the ball inside and slowing the pace, they will match up well with other teams.

Jones will share minutes with senior guard Audrey Grant backing up Faucher but should provide the team with a more solid second unit. Last season the Vikings struggled with Faucher out of the game, forcing Murrell into playing her for long stretches.

“Eryn will be getting 10 or more minutes a game. She’s a very intelligent point guard,” Murrell said of the freshman. “She’s calm and relaxed on the court, and still young, so she’s going to learn a lot. “

The Big Five

Claire FaucherJunior, point guard, 5-9Yakima, Wash.2007-08 statistics: 13.6 points, 8.84 assists, 2.29 steals

Scouting Report: An accomplished scorer and prolific playmaker, Faucher is the returning starting point guard and perhaps the Vikings’ biggest offensive weapon. “Claire is a phenomenal passer. She has eyes not just in the back of her head, but all around her head. She has a good feel for the game, and she is tough to guard because she can score as well as pass,” Murrell said.

Kelly MarchantSophomore, guard, 5-10Oregon City2007-08 statistics: 7.2 points, 1.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists

Scouting Report: After a freshman campaign in which she saw action in all 31 games as a backup, Marchant is back and looks to take over the shooting guard role for the Vikings. “Kelly is a dynamic scorer. She is very quick and can beat people off the dribble,” Murrell said.

Katia Hadj-HamouSenior, guard/forward, 5-10Huntington Beach, Calif.2007-08 statistics: 3.8 points, 1.5 rebounds

Scouting Report: With more minutes and a larger role in the team’s rotation, Hadj-Hamou will look to assert herself on the boards and on the defensive end. With 29 three pointers last year, she also represents one of the Vikings best options from downtown. “Katia is a dead-eye set shooter. She can shoot deep and she’s just a very physical guard,” Murrell said.

Kelsey KahleSenior, forward, 5-10Aurora, Ore.2007-08 statistics: 14.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2 steals

Scouting Report: The Vikings’ senior leader and most prolific scorer, Kahle heads into her final season at the Park Blocks poised to carve a place in the school’s history books. Since winning the Big Sky Outstanding Freshman award in her rookie season in 2005-06, Kahle has been a dominant force in the league.

“Perhaps our best all-around player, Kelsey is a defensive stopper, a very athletic kid,” Murrell said. “Coming out the gate, and all year long, she will be a double-double threat for us every night.”

Kelli ValentineSophomore, forward, 5-11Spokane, Wash. 2007-08 statistics: 9.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.0 assist

The Big Sky Outstanding Freshman of the Year last season, Valentine earned her place in the starting lineup with her talent and scoring ability. Valentine reached double digits in scoring 15 times last season, including two performances of more than 20 points. “Kelli is a finesse player with a nice outside shot,” Murrell said. “She also has quick spin moves down on the post and is a very smart player.”