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BOISE, Idaho – The new-look Portland State volleyball team got its first test of the 2014 season Friday night against No. 4 Washington. The Huskies took the match in straight sets by scores of 25-19, 25-15, and 25-16. It was the seventh straight season the two teams met as part of the Northwest Challenge.

"Overall I think it's one of the highest hitting percentages we've had against this team," eighth-year Head Coach Michael Seemann said following the season opener. "Leigh-Ann (Haataja) coming out and putting up 12 kills in her first match outside was definitely a highlight for us. Roni (LaPierre) and Erin (Clark) definitely showed their experience tonight."  
 
Three true freshmen including Erin Clark, Roni LaPierre, and Sarah Liva all made their first career starts for the Vikings while a fourth, Lauren Nicholson, saw her first career action.
 
LaPierre came out swinging with four kills and six digs in the first set. She hit .800 in the first set going 4-for-5 with no errors. LaPierre finished the match with eight kills and eight digs. Clark made her first career start as the Vikings' setter and recorded 29 of the team's 33 assists.
 
Senior Leigh-Ann Haataja led the way for the Vikings with a match-high 12 kills and hit a career-high .435 recording 12 kills on 23 attacks with just two errors. It was Haataja's first start as an outside hitter after playing the rest of her career as a middle blocker.
 
After briefly taking the lead early in the first set, Washington took the lead and did not look back taking it 25-19. The Huskies outhit the Vikings .333-to-.200 in the first set.
 
Washington took the second set by a score of 25-15 before finishing the sweep with a 25-16 win in the third. The Huskies were just too much offensively for the Vikings and hit .448 for the match committing just six errors.

"We're not comfortable with losing, and never will be," Seemann added. I like coaching this team. We're going to get better every time we hit the court." 
 
The Vikings conclude action at the Northwest Challenge Saturday when they take on host Boise State at 9 a.m. PT and Gonzaga at 6 p.m.
 
NOTES: Erin Clark, Roni LaPierre, Sarah Liva, and Lauren Nicholson all made their Portland State debuts … Leigh-Ann Haataja hit a career-high .435 (12-2-23)… Haataja make her first start as an outside hitter … Portland State is now 0-7 against Washington at the Northwest Challenge.