Portland State's Alivia Eikenberg, who was previously named first-team All-Big Sky as a freshman, received preseason All-Big Sky honors for the upcoming season. Last season, she ranked second in the Big Sky with 4.25 kills per set in conference play and was the only freshman to earn an All-Big Sky nod. Despite her individual accolades, the Vikings were projected to finish eighth in the Big Sky coaches poll, behind defending champions Northern Colorado and Northern Arizona.

By the Numbers
  • Eikenberg averaged 3.82 kills per set, ranking fourth nationally among all Division I freshmen.
  • She recorded 15 double-doubles, just one shy of the freshman record of 16.
  • Last season, she scored a total of 397 kills, setting five single-season freshman records.
State of Play
  • The Vikings were ranked eighth in the preseason coaches poll with 43 points.
  • Northern Colorado received the most first-place votes and was ranked first with 88 points.
  • Northern Arizona followed closely with 85 points and also received four first-place votes.
What's Next

As the season approaches, the Vikings will aim to improve upon their preseason ranking. Additionally, Eikenberg will be a key player to watch as she seeks to build on her impressive freshman campaign and lead the team through the season.

Bottom Line

Eikenberg's continued success highlights her potential as a standout player, while the Vikings face challenges within a competitive Big Sky conference. Improvement in team performance will be essential to surpass the low expectations set by the preseason poll.