Top-ranked Viks set for Bengals and Wildcats

Women’s volleyball is hitting the road to begin the second round of Big Sky Conference action. Leaving the confines of home in a first-place tie with Northern Colorado, the Vikings will face Idaho State tonight and Weber State on Saturday.

Portland State (12-7, 7-1 Big Sky) pushed to a crucial win over top-ranked Northern Colorado last weekend. The match started in favor of the Bears, 2-1, but ended in a Viking victory 3-2. Portland State then carried the momentum into Saturday night, when the team swept seventh-ranked Northern Arizona.

In Friday night’s match against the Bears, the Viks pulled the team’s first triple-double since 2007. Freshman setter Garyn Schlatter posted 48 assists, 11 kills and 15 digs—career highs for her in assists and kills—before continuing her run on Saturday by posting a career-high six blocks. For her performance, Schlatter was named Big Sky Player of the Week. In Big Sky records, Schlatter is currently ranked fourth in assists and ninth in service aces.

Head coach Michael Seemann said the focus for Schlatter this weekend will be on her setting.

“Her thing is making sure she’s getting hitters’ settable balls,” Seemann said. “What Garyn and I are working on is her continuing presence as a leader on the court and for her to provide readiness to the team.”

In addition to Schlatter’s triple-double, the Viks posted two double-doubles on Friday. Senior outside-hitter Whitney Phillips posted 17 kills and 18 digs, and sophomore middle blocker recorded 13 kills and 14 digs. Senior middle-blocker Lana Zielke also posted a career-high 18 kills.

Seemann said that with the start of the second half of conference play he expects the other teams to be making adjustments, but he does not want to vastly change the Vikings’ game. He said the team’s focus will instead be on good offense.

“On the road, we just need to be a little bit more conservative on offense, and just be more intelligent on shots and trusting our defense,” he said. “We need to approach each match one at a time, and each point one at a time. Remember, we’re playing for points. 

Idaho State (12-9, 4-4 Big Sky) swept rival Weber State at home last Saturday. The fourth-ranked Bengals will take on Portland State for their fourth consecutive home game.

Against the Wildcats, outside hitter Haylee Thompson-Brock nearly posted a double-double with nine kills and 10 digs. Middle hitter Britta Bartischi-Rhodehouse and right-side hitter Jaclyn Hone lead the Bengals in kills each with 11.

Prior to the Weber State match, the Bengals swept non-conference Western Montana. Bartischi-Rhodehouse also posted a match-high 11 kills and a .529 attack percentage.

Idaho State has had a bumpy ride up to its current ranking. The team went just 1-3 in the opening four matches, including a loss to Portland State. From there, they turned their game around, beating both Montana teams at home to bring their record to an even 3-3. A nail-biting 3-2 loss against Sac State brought the Bengals down, but their victory over the Wildcats evened the conference play 4-4.

Weber State (2-19, 0-8 Big Sky) has had a tough season in both conference and non-conference play. They will play Eastern Washington at home on Friday before Portland State takes on the Wildcats on Saturday.

In the Idaho State match, middle blocker Carissa Noble led the team with eight kills. Despite her efforts, Weber State was still behind the Bengals in almost all categories. The match was the fourth consecutive time the Wildcats have been swept by their opponents.

Before the Wildcats played the Bengals, they were swept by non-conference in-state rival Brigham Young. Although the finish was not in Weber State’s favor, it did highlight several Wildcat players. Left-side hitter Bethany Wray led with 12 kills. Sophomore setter Caitlin Penrod was put on the starting lineup for injured senior Kim Lissinna. Penrod posted a career-high seven kills and recorded a .600 attack percentage. 

Portland State has taken the Bengals in the last 10 matchups. The Vikings lead both the all-time series, 28-14 and Big Sky 16-13, but at Idaho State the Bengals lead 8-6 in conference. Portland State has swept the Bengals in the last five matches, which includes the first matchup of the pair this season on Sept. 25. In that match, Phillips posted 20 kills, and senior libero Diana Villalpando led with 18 digs.

Portland State leads Weber State in all-time series 26-15, but the Wildcats claim the Big Sky series 15-14. Portland State swept Weber State in the first matchup this season. Phillips led the team, recording a double-double with 16 kills and 10 digs. 

Friday night’s match against Idaho State is scheduled for 6 p.m. local time in Pocatello, Idaho. Saturday night’s meeting with Weber State in Ogden, Utah will also be held at 6 p.m. Both matches can be viewed on streaming video through Big Sky TV on goviks.com. ?