PORTLAND – The Portland State volleyball team hit the court for the first time in 2017 for an exhibition match against the Concordia Cavaliers Tuesday night at the North Portland campus.
 
Not only was it the first competition for the Vikings this season, it was the first time competing on the court that they will call home this season. Portland State will play its home matches at Concordia due to the construction of the Viking Pavilion at the Peter W. Stott Center.
 
The Vikings got off to a slow start in the opening frame, which is to be expected in their first competition of the season. Contributing to the slow start was the integration of new players into PSU's lineup.

However, in the second set, play started to click for the Vikings. Setters found hitters on the outside and the defense was solid as they rolled to a 25-12 win in the second.
 
Sophomore outside hitter Brooke Imirie started on the right side for the Vikings and seemed to find her grove early one. Fellow outside Jenna Mullen made her presence known early and often.
 
"We have a good team with a lot of depth but it is a totally different thing playing someone else," Mullen said following the exhibition. "It felt great to be out there playing someone else and getting back into the groove of things and swinging hard. That's always nice. It was a great team win."
 
As that match wore on, going to a predetermined fifth set, the Portland State offense became tighter and players continued to make plays. Sophomore Caitlin Bettenay was a sharpshooter at the service line, coming up with multiple aces. Senior libero Tasha Bojanic showed why she was one of the best in the Big Sky a year ago.
 
The middle duo of Katy Wilson and Mikaelyn Sych make their presence known the entire evening.
 
With so many unknowns coming into the season, how to whittle down a 17-player roster, Portland State seems to be starting to figure some things out as it heads into the opening weekend of the season.
 
"We are definitely ready to compete this weekend," Mullen added. "We're all excited to get on the road and travel and start playing in non-conference. We have a long list of things to come back with tomorrow and work on for the next two days before hitting the road."
 
The Vikings open regular season action with three matches at the Aztec Invitational hosted by San Diego State. They open with CSUN on Friday, Aug. 25 at 5 p.m. PT.