A magnificent prep volleyball career at Fife (Wash.) High School gave outside hitter Eva Linden college options. She was recruited by a handful of schools, but her longtime friend and club volleyball teammate, Jenna Mullen, gave her a nudge in the right direction.
 
"Jenna committed here at Portland State before I did. She had looked at a bunch of schools and just loved the coaches and the program," Linden said. "I agreed with her on that. During the recruiting process, I visited a bunch of schools, and no coaches compared to Michael (Seemann), Katie (Kaysinger) and Eric (Leibbrandt)."
 
Proximity to Linden's home of Milton, Wash. – less than a three-hour drive from Portland – also led to her choosing the Vikings.
 
"I originally thought I wanted to be super far from home, until the time got closer and closer," Linden said. "I am really happy I'm close enough that my parents can come to my games."
 
Linden has loved her time at Portland State so far, and the Vikings have loved having her.
Portland State had some idea about what it was getting when Linden committed. Linden was a three-time all-league first-teamer in high school. In her junior and senior seasons, Linden was her league's Most Valuable Player, and she was named to the all-area team. In one match in high school, she posted a school-record 39 kills.
 
In her short time as a Viking, Linden is already proving her worth. She has started in 25 of her first 26 matches at Portland State. Linden has posted at least 10 kills in 16 of those appearances. She set a career high with 21 kills against Montana on Oct. 22, and added 10 digs in that match to capture her fourth double-double of the season.
 
Linden is averaging 2.94 kills per set, putting her just behind Mullen for the team lead. The duo of former Puget Sound Volleyball Academy teammates, Linden and Mullen, is combining for over six kills per set.
 
However, Linden is not too concerned with statistics. What matters to her is her bond with her teammates and the thrill of winning with them. She hopes to have that thrill a lot more this season and in the years to come.
 
"I love winning," Linden said. "Running down the stairs into the locker room after a win is the greatest feeling ever."
 
FAST FACTS
Number: 19
Position: Outside hitter
Nickname: Eves
If you could participate another sports, what would it be: swimming
Favorite food: Raisin Bran with peanut butter on the side
What is something most people don't know about you: "I have six sisters. I'm the second-oldest."
Major: Undecided