Viking_Yearbook_95

Surprising Victories It was almost like starting from scratch for head coach Cathy Nelson, but the results were another "banner" season for the Portland State Volleyball team. PSU lost seven of its top eight players from 1993, leaving many to think it would be a rebuilding year on the Park Blocks. But they finished the year 26-13 and were Northwest Regional Champions for the fifth straight season. PSU's season ended when it lost to Central Missouri State in the quarterfinal round of the Elite Eight National Championship on December 3. Despite the loss, the Vikings continued their unprecedented streak of never having missed the postseason. And, PSU is the only school to reach the Elite Eight in each of the last five seasons. All this happened after the Vikings started the season slowly. Injuries that had two starters out for a month in the early season, and one of the toughest schedules in the country (PSU played 16 matches against nationally-ranked teams this year), left PSU at 9-9 by the end of September. Nevertheless, the Vikings came together to win 17 of their last 21 matches. During its first year as a member of the Pacific West Conference, PSU tied for the best record with a 13-1 mark. The Vikings then proceeded to defeat the team they were tied with (Hawaii- Hilo) in the Northwest Regional Playoffs. Junior Chaney Ward, the only holdover from last year's squad with significant playing time, was one of PSU's top players. She, along with junior transfer Michelle Buckner, were named second team All- Americans at the end of the season. Buckner, a setter, led the conference in assists and had the second highest assist total in PSU history during her first year as a Viking. Ward, Buckner and sophomore transfer Mani Yamaguchi were all named to the All-Northwest Region team. Yamaguchi led the Vikings with 542 kills, the third highest total ever at PSU. In addition, Buckner was named first team All- PWC, while Ward, Yamaguchi and junior Peggy Adams were named second team All- PWC. Story Courtesy ofSports Dept. 66