Box Score (PDF)  |  Box Score (HTML)

PORTLAND, Ore. – With one of their gutsiest performances in years, the Portland State volleyball team won its fifth straight match by sweeping visiting Idaho State on Saturday night at the Stott Center.

While the Vikings earned the straight-sets victory, it didn't come easy. Set scores were 25-22, 30-28, 27-25, and the match featured 28 tie scores along the way.

Early on in the match the teams went back and forth as there were three tie scores within the first 10 points. Portland State went in front for good, though, on kills by Lana Zielke and Whitney Phillips. The Vikings never led by more than four points from there on and Idaho State got as close as one point on eight occasions.

Set two was even closer, with 11 tie scores and four lead changes. After Idaho State knotted it up at 13-13, there were 10 more ties. PSU appeared on its way to taking the set when they went up 23-20 on a swing by Megan Ellis, but the Bengals answered with three straight points.

Later, a kill by Phillips put it at set point, 26-25, before Idaho State scored two straight to take its first lead. Two points later, the Bengals were in front 28-27 and their fans were on their feet cheering for the upset. It was all for not as the Vikings scored the final three points on back-to-back kills by Phillips and an Idaho State attack error.

With the way the first two sets went it was no surprise when the third frame had 14 tie scores and three lead changes. The Vikings held the biggest lead at 13-9, but Idaho State scored five of the next six points to put it at 14-14. From there, the score was even 10 more times, with the last coming at 25 apiece. PSU finally sealed the match after Phillips and Christie Hamilton threw down kills.

"This was a great test for us tonight," said Vikings Head Coach Michael Seemann. "Tonight was one of the gutsiest matches we've played since I've been here. We kept our composure in some very tight spots and beat a tough Idaho State team."

Seemann was equally impressed with the offensive contributions he got from several players besides the normal star, Phillips.

"With (setter) Garyn (Schlatter) going down, Domi (Kristinikova) had to set a 5-1. It's something we certainly are always prepared for, but not something you expect to happen. We also got huge contributions from Megan Ellis off the bench and Cara Olden had a great night offensively."

Phillips led the Vikings as she has in every match this season, tallying 20 kills. Hamilton added eight, while Olden had a career-high seven. Zielke chipped in seven of her own and led all players with seven total blocks. Ellis finished with four kills, five digs and two blocks.

For Idaho State (8-6, 1-3 Big Sky), Jaclyn Hone had 10 kills and 12 digs, and Jenna Proost recorded 18 digs.

NOTES: Phillips served up a career-best five aces ... the Vikings scored 30 points in a set for the first time since the NCAA went to the 25-point scoring format in 2008 ... Diana Villalpando paced PSU with 18 digs ... Kristinikova had a career-high 28 assists while also digging nine balls ... the Vikings have won 10 in a row over Idaho State ... Portland State is 4-0 in the Big Sky for the third time in four seasons under Seemann ... PSU hosts Trinity Western this Wednesday at 7 p.m., in an exhibition match.