Eastern Washington kicks off season with home exhibition match on Aug. 22

The Eastern Washington University volleyball team was selected second in the Big Sky Conference according to a vote by the league coaches. Portland State was picked to take the league crown after earning 63 votes in the poll to Eastern’s 58.

The Eagles are looking to keep alive some incredible streaks this year. Eastern has finished in the top three of the league standings for the past 13 seasons and has advanced to the league semifinals for 12 consecutive years.

Last year, the Eagles were picked fourth but were successful in keeping both those streaks going with an impressive campaign, claiming the Big Sky’s regular-season title with a 12-4 mark before advancing to the league’s championship match. In that title tilt, the homestanding Vikings outlasted the Eagles, 3-1.

Eastern Washington will begin its 2009 regular-season campaign at the Oregon Classic, where the team will face Missouri State, Oregon and San Francisco. All three of those teams advanced to the NCAA Tournament in 2008, and the Ducks rode a pair of NCAA wins to the Sweet 16.

Prior to then, however, the Eagles will play host to an exhibition match versus an alumni team at 2 p.m. on Aug. 22.

Big Sky Conference Volleyball Poll
Team, Points (First-Place Votes)

1. Portland State, 63 (7)
2. Eastern Washington, 58 (2)
3. Northern Colorado, 47
4. Montana, 39
5. Weber State, 35
6. Sacramento State, 34
7. Northern Arizona, 22
8. Idaho State, 18
9. Montana State, 8