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PORTLAND – The Portland State women's volleyball took down North Dakota in straight sets to improve to 8-0 in Big Sky Conference play for the first time since PSU made the jump to the NCAA Division I level in 1996.

The last time the Vikings were 8-0 to start conference play was in 1995 when they started 12-0 at the Division II level as a member of the Pacific West Conference. The Vikings are in the midst of an eight-match winning streak which is the longest winning streak since they rattled off nine straight to claim the Big Sky Tournament title in 2010.

Junior outside hitter Jaklyn Wheeler tallied a match-high 11 kills while adding 12 digs for her league-leading 12th double-double of the season propelling the Vikings to the sweep by scores of 25-11, 25-23, and 26-24.

The Vikings posted 10 blocks as a team Saturday afternoon led by Garyn Schlatter who posted seven (1-6) and Leigh-Ann Haataja who added six (0-6).

“We made some solid and timely blocks,” head coach Michael Seemann following the match. “Even though they don't go down as blocks, we stopped them at the net at the end of matches which is huge. We are getting stops at the net and creating new opportunities. That's been the difference, especially in the third set.”

UND got out to an early 3-1 before PSU took control of the first set with seven straight points to go up 8-3. The Vikings went up 19-10 before closing out the set on a 6-1 run to take it 25-11. Portland State dominated the first set outhitting North Dakota .520-to-.065.

The second set was a different story for the Vikings as they hit just .048 but they did hold North Dakota to a negative hitting percentage for the set at -.024. The Vikings held North Dakota to a .017 (27-25-115) hitting percentage for the match, which is the lowest by an opponent this season. They are now holding their opponents to a .181 hitting percentage on the season.

Both teams stayed within a few points of each other in the second. With the score tied at 21-21, PSU scored back-to-back points off a Megan Ellis kill and a Kasi Clark service ace to go up 23-21. The teams traded points before a kill by Haataja won it for the Vikings at 25-23.

The third set went back and forth with nine ties and four lead changes. UND got out to a 14-10 lead midway through the set. The Vikings then fell behind 17-14 before going on a six point run to take the 20-17 lead. Three straight by UND tied the set at 20-20. The teams traded points to 24-24 before two UND errors won it for the Vikings at 26-24.

Portland State now heads out on the road for conference matches at Idaho State and then at Weber State to finish up the first half of the conference schedule.

NOTES: Portland State is 8-0 in conference play for the first time during the Vikings Division I era (1996-present) … Jaklyn Wheeler posted her 11th double-double of the year … Portland State held North Dakota to a .017 hitting percentage, an opponent low.