After four consecutive 20-win seasons, some people might be inclined to take a break. Even being back-to-back Big Sky champs would allow most to relax a little. But for the Portland State women’s volleyball team, it is just reason to work harder.
“We don’t ever assume anything,” said head coach Michael Seemann. “We start with the basics.”
Having reached the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history, expectations are definitely high for the volleyball team.
Starting with a loaded incoming freshman class and 12 returning players, including last year’s Tournament MVP Nique Fraddella, the Vikings are as intimidating as ever.
It would seem logical for head coach Seemann to set high expectations for the upcoming season, yet he instead wants to focus on the team’s immediate goals.
“What we need to do is establish a lineup that we can rely on,” Seemann said. “Try [by the start of the season] to have a core of players we can rely on.”
With the first official NCAA practice date of Aug. 10 approaching, the Vikings are working hard on the things that each player can improve upon.
“Our focus is getting better at the little things that will make the team better as a whole,” said recent transfer Whitney Phillips.
And for good reason—the opening stretch includes three participants from the NCAA Tournament last year, including the team that kicked Portland State out of the tournament last year: University of Washington.
Luckily, this time the Vikings will have home court advantage against Washington at the Stott.
“We’re pretty excited for every game, but that’s going to be a big one,” said Fraddella of the Washington game. “That will show us how good we’re going to do in the season and if we can compete.”
Even with high expectations, the team still found time to host camps the past two weeks to help high school players improve their skills and improve as players, too.
“We had a bigger turnout [for the camp] than ever before,” said Phillips. “It’s going really well.”
That is not to say the Vikings weren’t working on their own game as well.
“We have a couple [informal] open gym times [each week] where they can compete against each other,” said Seemann.