Viking_Yearbook_93

In sa le s ia u e o f t f o u r c h a m p io n The Portland State volleyball team came into the season looking to add its fourth national championship banner to the three it had already won over the last eight years. I JUST WANT TO GO OUT AND DO MY JOB. I DON’T CARE IF PEOPLE NOTICE ME. On Dec. 7, the Vikings fulfilled that goal defeating second-ranked Northern Michigan to become the first team in Division II history to win four national cham- pionships.lt was a dream season in more ways than — SuzyHall one for the Vikings, who had lost just one year prior to West Texas State in the national championship match. Finishing second did not sit well with the Vikings and they worked hard all year long towards not only making it to the Elite Eight national cham­ pionships, but advancing to the Final and winning the whole thing, only this time, it would happen in front of their home fans. “We knew we had the physical talent,” Division II coach of the year Jeff Mozzochi said in the press room following the final match. “It was a question of putting everything together at the right time.” The season saw the Vikings win 36 of their 37 matches and they capped off a 28-match winning streak with the five-game thriller against Northern Michigan in the title match at The Gym. The team featured three All-Americans, all of which were juniors and who will return next sea­ son. Those three included outside hitters and first team picks Leanne Peters and Joy Russell and sec­ ond team selection Erika Boggio. The lone senior on the team, starting setter Suzy Hall was probably more excited about the national .... 111 Left: Suzy Hall rarely sought the limelight, ^ but worked to get the job done as the likings’ setter, setting a single-season record with 1,741 assists as a freshman. Right: Erika Boggio strains to block an opponents hit. iy Scott M«rtin