Vikings continue to dust competition

The month of September may have brought slightly cooler temperatures to the city of Portland, but Viking volleyball continues to heat up. Portland State easily downed the Northern Colorado Bears in three games (30-26, 30-22, 30-20) last Saturday at the Stott Center.

In what seems to be a reoccurring theme, the Vikings (12-4, 6-0) relied on solid defense and continued to receive stellar performances from star players to win their 18th consecutive home match versus conference opponents, defeating the Bears (4-12, 2-3) to remain atop the Big Sky Conference standings at a perfect 6-0. The sweep is Portland State’s sixth straight in home matches.

Thus far, the team has countered the losses of 2006 Big Sky Most Valuable Player Jessica Brodie and All-Conference performer Jessica Frederick with strong play from several newcomers, especially freshman middle blocker Christie Hamilton and junior transfer Jalen Pendon.

Sophomore outside hitter Marija Vojnovic has also stepped into a starting role with staggering numbers, and the Serbian native continued her terrific play on Saturday night. Vojnovic led the team with 12 kills and 10 digs, while sophomore setter Dominique Fradella handed out 35 assists to go along with five kills and five digs.

While Vojnovic seemed to come up with all the right swings on the offensive end, the Vikings would be a much different team at this juncture without the steady play of senior middle blocker Michelle Segun.

On Saturday, Segun played a significant part in a sound defensive force that included Hamilton and sophomore middle blocker Erica Jepsen. Continuing their impressive defensive execution, the Vikings had eight blocks on the night, with Segun earning four of them. The team’s lone senior also added 10 kills to complete a balanced performance against the Bears.

“Our defense and blocking was real good tonight,” Vojnovic said following the victory. “It really changed the way the game was played when we blocked well.”

Cohesiveness and balance play a large part in Portland State’s overall success nearly halfway through conference play, but don’t overlook the game plan that head coach Michael Seemann and his staff has their young team buying into. That plan revolves around all of volleyball’s fundamentals-solid passing, serving and defense.

When these three aspects of the game are clicking, the Vikings have been able to force the opponent out of rotation and outside their comfort zone.

“We were able to make them real predictable in their offense,” Seemann said. “When we serve well we really make our offense more effective.”

When the season kicked off, few, including Seemann and former head coach and current associate head coach Jeff Mozzochi, suggested the Vikings would be undefeated in conference play at this point. Instead Portland State was expected to endure a rocky start, but the Vikings have made many into believers.

Tougher games lie ahead for the Big Sky leaders, as the Vikings are slated to face Big Sky perennial powers Eastern Washington and Sacramento State, as well as cross-town rival University of Portland, in the next 10 days. If the Vikings continue their stellar play over this period, they should have everyone’s attention.

Player of the Game

Marija Vojnovic

12 kills 1 service ace 10 digs.219 hitting percentage 1 block