PSU Sweeps Fourth Straight Opponent at Home

Portland State's sophomore outside hitter Marija Vojnovic had the match-high of 20 kills.

Sophomore outside hitter Marija Vojnovic hammered 20 kills against NAU. Photo courtesy: Portland State Athletics

PORTLAND, Ore. - Portland State (11-4, 5-0) volleyball keeps streaks alive as they sweep the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks (6-8, 1-3), 30-21, 30-28, 30-23.

Portland State has swept each opponent who has stepped through the Stott Center doors this year, winning four matches and twelve straight games this year at home.

Thursday's victory keeps the Vikings undefeated in the Big Sky Conference and maintains their position at the top.

Portland State has won six consecutive matches and 11 straight Big Sky regular season matches.

The win keeps the Vikings 18-match winning streak alive against Big Sky Opponents at home.

Portland State hammered 50 kills on 141 total attacks, while holding Northern Arizona to 40 kills on 131 total attacks.

The Lumberjacks came into Thursday's match second in the conference with a .216 hitting percentage. Portland State held them to a .061 hitting percentage.

Portland State's sophomore outside hitter Marija Vojnovic had the match-high of 20 kills.

Vojnovic beat out Northern Arizona's Kim Babcock, who has the nation's sixth-highest kill average with 5.25 kpg.

Vojnovic hit .189 on the match and totaled 10 digs on the match. Thursday marked Vojnovic's 10th double-double of the year and her fourth consecutive.

Sophomore setter Dominique Fradella had the match high with 40 assists. She also had four kills and six digs on the match.

Senior middle blocker Michelle Segun had the third-highest kill total with 11 on the match.

She also had six digs. She is one block shy from being only the fifth player in Vikings history to collect 400+ blocks.

Junior defensive specialist Jacqueline Thomas had the team-high with 15 digs.

Sophomore Erica Jepsen was Portland State's brick wall Thursday as she collected a total of four blocks, all from games two and three.

In game one Portland State battled back and forth with Northern Arizona to take the lead.

Finally the Vikings jumped ahead to a 10-6 lead, when NAU took a timeout.

The Lumberjacks came out firing and pulled to within one at 10-9, but it was a diving save by Portland State's Thomas that sparked a five point run to put the Vikings up 13-9. PSU took its' lead and ran with it winning game one 30-21.

Portland State started out game two slowly as they let Northern Arizona go on to a 7-4 lead, but they would not be denied.

The Vikings fought back to tie the match at 14-14. Both teams then took turns with the lead as they were still close at a 25-26 Northern Arizona lead.

The Lumberjacks went on a late three-point run to make it 28-26 NAU, but junior Jalen Pendon took over the serve and led to a 4-0 run giving Portland State the victory. PSU took game two 30-28.

Both teams picked up where they left off in game two as they continued to keep close to one another. The score was knotted up at 18-18, when Pendon, again took the serve.

She led her team to a six-point run giving Portland State the final lead change of the match. the Vikings went on to continue the sweep and won game three 30-23.

Portland State totaled 48 assists, 51 digs and six total blocks. Northern Arizona collected 37 assists, 53 digs, and nine total blocks.

The Vikings will be back in action Saturday against the Northern Colorado Bears (4-11, 2-2) at 7:00 in the Stott Center.

Source: Portland State Athletics

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