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MISSOULA – The Portland State volleyball team picked up a big 3-1 victory at Montana on Saturday night in a matchup of the two Big Sky Conference favorites.

Portland State (6-6, 2-0 Big Sky) and Montana were tabbed as co-favorites in the coaches preseason poll, but it was the Vikings who looked like the title contenders after they won their 12th-straight against the Grizzlies.

Set scores were 25-20, 22-25, 25-19, 25-13.

The Vikings had to overcome a poor hitting night as they finished with a .139 percentage. But, the Grizzlies weren't any better with a .097 mark and no players with more than nine kills.

Whitney Phillips paced a balanced offensive attack for the Vikings, finishing with 22 kills, while adding 14 digs for her team-leading seventh double-double. Lana Zielke added 10 more kills and had three block assists.

Fourth-year Head Coach Michael Seemann was definitely pleased with the offensive distribution he saw from his team, but was even more encouraged with the fact that four of his players finished in double-digits in digs.

"Tonight it was good to see four players get double-digits in digs," said Seemann. "I am proud of our defensive effort this weekend."

Diana Villalpando led the Vikings with 15 digs, Garyn Schlatter finished with 13 and Erica Cotton set a career-high with 11.

The victory puts the Vikings in an early tie for first place in the Big Sky with Northern Colorado.

"To start off conference play with back-to-back wins is a good sign," Seemann said. "This team supported one another in two very tough environments."

There was plenty of praise to go around on Saturday.

Schlatter continued her stellar play from her setter position, tallying her third straight double-double with 46 assists to go along with her 13 digs. She also recorded eight kills and hit .333.

Also for the Viks, Christie Hamilton registered nine kills and Phillips had three of PSU's season-high 10 service aces.

All-Conference middle blocker Jaimie Thibeault led Montana with nine kills and nine block assists. Brittany Quick added eight kills and hit .444, while Brittney Brown had 14 digs.

PSU returns home to host Weber State next Friday at 7 p.m.

NOTES: Phillips has recorded 20 or more kills in seven matches this year and has led PSU in that category in every match ... Schlatter has five double-doubles, all coming within the past eight matches ... Montana fell to 4-8, 1-1 Big Sky.