Women’s volleyball could get the short end of the stick

For Portland State volleyball, the entire season rests on this weekend’s matches.

With the Big Sky Tournament rapidly approaching, PSU will have to win its matches against Montana and Montana State, and hope that Weber State loses at least one if its matches, to move into the sixth and final seed for the tournament Nov. 20.

But it gets more confusing than that.

The Vikings took on the Montana Grizzlies, also vying for the sixth seed, last night in the first of two home matches at the Stott Center this weekend. At press time, the outcome of that match was unknown.

If the Viks lost to Montana, they would have to beat Montana State on Saturday and hope that Montana loses its second match of the weekend to have hope of making the tournament. But Weber State would have to lose both of its matches.

If Weber State wins both its matches, that’s the ball game (not to confuse metaphors). Confused yet? Good. Here comes more.

Should Montana and PSU both lose one match each, Weber State would only have to post one win to make the tournament. If Montana wins both its matches and PSU loses both its matches, and Weber State wins only one, the Grizzlies would advance to the tournament.

Or, should PSU win both its matches, and Montana lose both its matches, and Weber State lose only one of its matches, PSU would advance to the tournament.

So what does all this mean?

It means you should get to the Stott Center on Saturday at 1 p.m. to support Portland State volleyball in its last regular-season match of the year. Saturday is also senior day, and PSU will honor seniors Richell Wilson and Jessica Brock, who could very well be playing in their last volleyball matches of their collegiate, and likely lifetime, careers.