After another successful weekend on the road, the Vikings head into the final games of their schedule and find themselves in a familiar position: playing for a Big Sky Conference regular season championship. Following an easy defeat of a winless Montana State squad, the Vikings visited Missoula to face the Grizzlies, the fifth best team in the conference. The Vikings would defeat Montana in a close match that featured 23 tied scores. The Vikings prevailed winning in four sets, 26-24, 25-21, 27-29, 25-21.
Stretch running
After another successful weekend on the road, the Vikings head into the final games of their schedule and find themselves in a familiar position: playing for a Big Sky Conference regular season championship. Following an easy defeat of a winless Montana State squad, the Vikings visited Missoula to face the Grizzlies, the fifth best team in the conference.
The Vikings would defeat Montana in a close match that featured 23 tied scores. The Vikings prevailed winning in four sets, 26-24, 25-21, 27-29, 25-21.
“We really did a great job of finishing strong. Montana is a tough place to play,” said head coach Michael Seemann.
Once again, junior outside hitters Jennifer Oney and Marija Vojnovic led the way for the Vikings offensively. Vojnovic had a double-double recording 18 kills and 11 digs while Oney added 12 kills of her own. Defensively, senior libero Jalen Pendon-Thomas led the team with 25 digs.
With the Grizzlies focusing most of their attention outside on trying to contain Oney and Vojnovic, sophomores Christie Hamilton and Lana Zielke were able to cash in on given opportunities at their middle blocker position.
“Our offense took it to another level,” Seemann said. “The way we got the offense going and the way we were transitioning from attacking to getting outside propelled us in a way that gave us confidence.”
Hamilton added seven kills, hitting a career best .526 percentage. Hamilton continues to lead the team in attacking percentage for the year and ranks fifth best in the conference. Zielke contributed an impressive 11 kills of her own.
“Marija puts the team on her back and Jennifer gives us some explosive kills. Their presence in the front and back gives us an opportunity to distribute to both Christy and Lana,” Seemann said.
With the road success last week, the Vikings will look to continue their winning streak against first-place Northern Colorado at the Stott Center on Thursday.
“We are very focused and determined. Were not looking over the importance of this game, but we have been in this position before,” Seemann said
A Portland State victory would give the Vikings a half-game lead ahead of Northern Colorado with just three games to play before the conference tournament.
“This team has done a great job of preparing all year long,” Seemann said of his expectations for his team this week. “After winning these past two games we are mentally stronger and are finishing games stronger.”
