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Northwest Challenge Tournament Page
And So It Begins ...
The Portland State volleyball team begins its 2013 campaign this Friday and Saturday when they play host to the Northwest Challenge. The Vikings welcome Boise State, Gonzaga, and No. 5 Washington to the Peter W. Stott Center. PSU will open the season Friday against Gonzaga starting at 4 p.m.
Live Coverage
Every match of the Northwest Challenge, including the non-Portland State matches, will feature live stats and a live video stream (no audio). Links for each match can be found on the Volleyball Schedule page on GoViks.com.
Northwest Challenge
It will be the sixth time that the Vikings have participated in the Northwest Challenge and the second time they have hosted.
The Opposition
The Vikings have matched up with its three opponents the past four years at The Challenge. The Vikings are 9-6 all-time against Gonzaga with the Bulldogs taking the last two matches. Washington leads the all-time series with PSU 12-21-1. Portland State leads 15-4 all-time against Boise State.
Home Sweet Home
Portland State has fared well at the Peter W. Stott Center under head coach
Michael Seemann. The Vikings are 60-11 overall under Seemann at home and 46-4 in Big Sky play. They went 10-2 at home in 2012.
Preseason Poll
The Vikings were selected to win the Big Sky Conference regular season in a vote of conference coaches. Portland State received 95 total points in the poll including seven of the 11 possible first-place votes.
Last Season
PSU finished the 2012 campaign with a 21-11 overall record and a 17-3 conference record winning the regular season title. The Vikings made a quick exit in the Big Sky Tournament falling in straight sets to Northern Colorado in the semifinals.
Experience
The Vikings enter the season with an extremely experienced squad. Twelve of the 14 student-athletes on the roster are upperclassmen (six seniors, six juniors).
Strong Defense
Head Coach
Michael Seemann and the Vikings have prided themselves in their defensive play over the years. In six seasons under Seemann, opponents are hitting just .164. PSU has led the Big Sky in opponent hitting percentage four of the six years.
Trio of Tournaments
Portland State will host three tournaments in 2013: two non-conference tournaments to start the season and the Big Sky Tournament in November. It is the first time since 2003 that the Vikings have hosted two non-conference tournaments.
Big Sky Tournament
By virtue of winning the conference regular season title in 2012, the Vikings will host the Big Sky Tournament Nov. 29-30 at the Peter W. Stott Center.
Making Her Mark
Kasimira "Kasi" Clark made her mark on the Portland State records book in 2012 by setting the school's all-time single-season digs mark with 635. Her record propelled her into being named the conference's Libero of the Year.Â
