PORTLAND ? Portland State has been picked to win the 2008 Big Sky Conference title according to a vote by the league coaches as announced today. It marks the first time since joining the Big Sky in 1996 that the Vikings have been favored in the preseason.

The Vikings received five first-place votes and a total of 61 points, which put them eight points in front of Sacramento State. The Hornets tallied three first-place votes and 53 points, followed by Weber State, which came in third with 50 points. Eastern Washington was picked to finish fourth with 49 points and received the only other first-place vote.

Last season, Portland State won a share of the regular-season title for the first time since making the jump to the Division I level in 1996. As a result, the Vikings earned the right to host the 2008 Big Sky Championship, which will run Nov. 28-29 at the Stott Center. PSU went 21-8 and 13-3 in the conference a year ago under first-year head coach Michael Seemann.

PSU returns five starters as well as junior outside hitter Lindsey Steele, who was a starter before suffering a season-ending knee injury early on. Also back is junior setter Nique Fradella, who was a second team all-conference pick last season and twice was named the Big Sky Player of the Week in 2007.

Among the other returning starters are senior defensive specialist/libero Jalen Pendon-Thomas, junior outside hitter Marija Vojnovic, junior middle blocker Erica Jepsen, and sophomore outside hitter/middle blocker Christie Hamilton. Junior outside hitter Jennifer Oney and sophomore defensive specialist Diana Villalpando also saw significant action last season and return this year.

Northern Colorado was tabbed to finish fifth with 34 points, followed by Montana (30), Northern Arizona (24), Idaho State (12) and Montana State (11).

Portland State opens up the 2008 season against the College of Charleston on Aug. 29 at the Oregon State Invitational in Corvallis.