Under the guidance of Head Coach Michael Seemann, the Portland State volleyball program has become the “Biggest in the Sky.” In seven years under Seemann, Portland State has gone 143-68 overall and 98-21 in Big Sky Conference play. The Vikings have won at least 20 matches six of his seven seasons, and eight of the last nine overall, making them the premier team in the Big Sky Conference.
Portland State has captured the 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, and 2013 conference regular season titles and in 2008 they won the conference tournament for the first time in school history. That propelled them on to the NCAA Division I Tournament, also a first for the Vikings. In 2010, PSU accomplished yet another first, winning both the regular season and tournament titles in the same season. For the second time under Seemann, the Vikings advanced to the NCAA tournament in 2010, where they battled close with seventh-ranked Hawai`i before losing.
On their home court inside the Peter W. Stott Center, Portland State has been nearly unbeatable the past nine seasons, going 93-17. In Seemann’s tenure alone, the Vikings have posted a 74-15 home record, and lost just four in conference home contests. In 2007, 2009 and 2010, PSU went a perfect 8-0 at home in Big Sky matches. The Vikings went 10-0 in 2012 and 2013 in an expanded conference season.
Numerous players have brought home hardware for their accomplishments the past seven seasons. Twenty-nine players have earned All-Big Sky recognition, including 11 first team picks. In three of the past five seasons, a Viking player has been named Big Sky MVP. In 2009, it was setter Nique Fradella; in 2010, outside hitter Whitney Phillips; and in 2013, setter Garyn Schlatter. Phillips was also the 2009 Big Sky Top Newcomer and in 2010 setter Garyn Schlatter was named the Big Sky’s Outstanding Freshman. In 2012 outside hitter Jaklyn Wheeler was named the Big Sky Newcomer of the Year. Libero Kasimira “Kasi” Clark was named the Big Sky’s Libero of the Year in 2012 and 2013. For all of his success, Seemann was rewarded in 2010 when he was named Big Sky Coach of the Year.
A signature of the Vikings program under Seemann has been their defense. From 2007-09, PSU led the Big Sky in opponent hitting percentage and ranked in the top two in blocks. In 2010, Portland State just missed out in leading the conference in opponent hitting percentage, ranking second. In 2007, then-senior middle blocker Michelle Segun led the conference in blocks, averaging 1.71 per set. In 2009, it was senior middle blocker Erica Jepsen who led the Big Sky, averaging 1.50 per set. In 2011, freshman middle blocker Katie O’Brien led the conference in blocks, averaging 1.35. The Vikings once again led the conference in opponent hitting percentage in 2012 with a mark of .165. In five of the past seven seasons, the Vikings have had two players ranked in the top six in blocking. Leight-Ann Haataja led the conference in blocks with 1.28 in 2013.
Off the court the Vikings have excelled in the classroom, highlighted by four Academic All-District VIII honors. The most notable student-athlete is Jepsen, who was a three-time selection, including twice being named to the first team.
As evidenced by the numbers above, it is clear to see that the Vikings volleyball program has indeed become the “Biggest in the Sky.”
