Portland State volleyball swept their way through Big Sky country this past weekend, defeating both Montana and Montana State in a pair of thrilling 3-2 victories. Playing eight underclassmen, including four freshmen, Portland State has begun their conference campaign at 3-1 with a 7-9 record overall— good enough for third place in the early Big Sky standings.
Portland State volleyball swept their way through Big Sky country this past weekend, defeating both Montana and Montana State in a pair of thrilling 3-2 victories. Playing eight underclassmen, including four freshmen, Portland State has begun their conference campaign at 3-1 with a 7-9 record overall— good enough for third place in the early Big Sky standings.
Despite winning the 2010 conference championship, the team boasts only seven returning players this season and has been struggling to find their rhythm. The Vikings played a tough preseason schedule including losses to eighth-ranked Washington and 16th ranked Oregon, and the team endured an eight game losing streak to end non-conference action. Portland State was unable to stop the losing as they dropped their conference opener to Idaho State on Sept. 16, but the team got back on the winning track with a shutout win over Weber State the next evening.
Three of the standout returners—junior outside hitter Megan Ellis, sophomore setter Garyn Schlatter and senior libero Nicole Bateham—have stepped up in recent weeks to provide leadership for the young Vikings. Head coach Michael Seemann said the team is still finding their way, but with the amount of new players on the roster it’s not a surprise.
“If we get regular and even [in our performances] and have consistent contribution from people we are a very tough team,” head coach Michael Seemann said. “If we get to a point where we can control most or all of our sets and take control of our tempo, that’s what we want as a team.”
The Viks started the weekend against Montana and ended the match in nail biting fashion. The team rallied to a fifth set, but nearly saw their hopes of winning slip away as Montana surged to a 13-7 lead. After taking a timeout to regroup, the Vikings showed their resolve and took the final set 16-14.
“They controlled most of the match and they picked the tempo,” Seemann said. “So I think when the pressure situation arose and all of a sudden it was 13-7 and [we] realized perhaps we were going to be on the losing side, the level of execution and focus increased tremendously.”
Seeman also emphasized that his team’s focus should be on a point-by-point attitude, which allows the players to narrow in on each individual play. Schlatter echoed her coach’s sentiments commenting on the team’s late rally in the fifth set.
“I think it shows a lot of growth. From the beginning of the season to now, we are starting to figure out how to play one point at a time and have absolute focus in each point,” Schlatter said. “We are learning the value of each point is just as important as the first point and we are playing each point as it is the last.”
The Viks offense posted three players with double-digit kills against Montana and four the following evening against Montana State. On Friday, Ellis led the team offensively, posting a match-high 21 points, alongside Schlatter who topped her season best with 53 assists.
Portland State rode their momentum into Saturday night and started strong against Montana State, taking the opening sets 25-23 and 25-21. Playing in front of their home fans, the Bobcats were able to answer back, winning the third set 25-16 and the fourth set 25-21.
In the final frame, the Viks showed the same clutch play that brought them to victory on Friday night. Schlatter handed out back-to-back
assists to help secure the win, setting up a key kill from freshman middle-blocker Leigh-Ann Haataja and the match point for Ellis. The Viks took the final set 15-11.
Schlatter posted 50 assists and seven kills, but her offensive performance wasn’t the only thing she took from the game. The sophomore competed in her first match against her younger sister Kasey Schlatter who plays for Montana State. Seemann said the competition between the sisters is a positive one and Schlatter of Portland State agreed.
“It was really fun,” Schlatter said. “I’m glad that she plays at a school in our conference or else I wouldn’t be able to see her play. I don’t think most people get a chance to play with or against their siblings.”
Alongside Schlatter, Ellis was a standout on the offensive side against Montana State, posting a double-double with 17 kills and 16 digs.
“Megan took some game-winning shots and to have a junior have double-doubles and take us through and help us finish some matches, that’s huge,” Seemann said.
Ellis and Schlatter controlled the offensive side as Bateham covered the defensive end. The senior posted a combined 57 digs over the weekend, with a match high 32 on Friday night against Montana.
The team will carry their three-match winning streak home next weekend as they take on Northern Arizona on Friday night and undefeated Northern Colorado on Saturday. Both matches are set for a 7 p.m. start.
