Nov. 28, 2007

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - "Just for today."

That's the motto on the wristbands that Western Washington University volleyball coach Diane Flick passed out to her team during a goal-setting session in early August.

"It's a reminder to play for the moment," said Flick, who has a 173-46 record in eight seasons directing the Vikings.

That live each day to the fullest attitude has helped the Vikings to the school's first NCAA II Elite Eight appearance. They are 24-4 and riding a 19-match winning streak, winning Pacific Regional and Great Northwest Athletic Conference championships along the way.

Western meets Dowling NY (39-7) on Thursday (3 p.m. PT) in a national quarterfinal match at Topeka, Kan., the winner advancing to Friday's semifinals against either host and AVCA No.4-ranked Washburn (31-2) or No.1-rated Tampa FL (37-3).

The core of Western's team has been three four-year seniors - outside hitter Jaime Anderson (SeaTac/Mount Rainier), setter Katie Robinson (Everson/Nooksack Valley) and libero Courtney Schneider (Snohomish), a two-time All-American.

"Usually around Thanksgiving, I'm having a nice break," said Flick, "but I don't want to see this season end. This is a special group.

"Not only have the seniors and I shared many on-the-court experiences, but also my pregnancy, the birth of my little girl and the death of my father."

If there was a defining moment of the season it came during the Pacific Regional semifinals, when the Vikings lost the first two games of their best of five match with defending champion UC San Diego, but fought back to win, 3 games to 2.

"That really showed the character of this group," said Flick, whose team went on to sweep No.3-rated and host Cal State San Bernardino in the regional final.

Never before had Western gotten to the regional championship. Now, the Vikings want to attain even more goals - one day at a time.