Top-ranked CSUN Is No Favorite at Portland State

PORTLAND, Ore. —  Cal State Northridge is ranked No. 1, but second-ranked Portland State is favored to win the NCAA Division II women’s volleyball championship this weekend at Portland State.

The Vikings have not lost at home in more than two years, a streak of 30 victories that includes a 15-7, 15-8, 15-11 rout of Northridge in last year’s NCAA final.

So why is the Final Four being played at Portland State for the second straight year?

M-o-n-e-y.

Last year’s final drew a sellout crowd of more than 2,400. Another sellout is expected Saturday night if CSUN and Portland State again reach the final. Extra bleachers to accommodate another 150 spectators were constructed Thursday.

NCAA spokeswoman Sue Givens said that Portland State and CSUN were the only schools that bid for this year’s Final Four. Portland State’s bid, she added, was “far and away” the better of the two.

CSUN drew about 1,000 for the two-night Southwest Regional last weekend. Judy Brame, CSUN women’s athletic director, said the Final Four probably wouldn’t have drawn any better.

CSUN Coach Walt Ker said he isn’t letting it bother him anymore.

“I still think that it’s not really fair,” he said, “but I’m not worried about it because I think the girls have taken the same attitude I have--that we’ll be that much hungrier to beat Portland State here.”

Notes

In tonight’s semifinals: CSUN (26-9), winner of its last 20 matches, faces seventh-ranked Nebraska Omaha (41-6) at 5:30; Portland State (34-5), winner of 21 straight, meets fifth-ranked Sam Houston State (45-6) at 8. . . . CSUN seniors Shelli Mosby and Heather Hafner were named first-team All-Americans at a banquet Thursday night. Both were honored for the third time. Junior Karen Lontka won honorable mention recognition.