‘Yote Notes – Nov. 12, 2003

Mike Safford Jr. – Sports Info. Director

msafford@albertson.edu

 

 

 

 

 

GENERAL ATHLETIC NEWS:

BOISE STATE PREGAME BASH AT SMOKEY MOUNTAIN PIZZA: Coyote fans are asked to attend the pregame party at Smokey Mountain Pizza on Parkcenter  Boulevard in Boise, prior to the big tilt between the Broncos and the 'Yotes.  Eat some pizza and drink some soda (just $8.00) and get revved up for the game.  Contact Lila Fladwood in the Albertson Alumni office at 459-5300 for more information.

THREE WOMEN’S SOCCER PLAYERS EARN ALL-CONFERENCE HONORS: The Albertson College women’s soccer team saw three seniors earn All-Cascade Conference honors when the 32-person team was announced this week.  Midfielder Alyssa Latham earned first-team honors for the second consecutive season, after scoring four goals and assisting on ten others in 2003.  Defender Shaila Goodman earned second-team honors as the Coyotes sweeper, while Brittany Cross, a four-year member of the ‘Yotes, earned honorable mention honors as a defender.  Concordia keeper Shelley Butcher and Western Baptist forward KeriAnn Rumrey shared Player of the Year honors.

BASKETBALL SEASON TICKETS AND C.A.A. INFORMATION: Basketball season ticket and revamped Coyote Athletic Association brochures were mailed out to alumni, boosters, and fans last Monday.  Become more than a fan, become a C.A.A. member and receive new benefits – such as license plate holders, t-shirts, hats, polo shirts, jackets, and travel bags – all while supporting either the C.A.A. or your favorite Coyote teams.  For more information, contact Dave Hahn at 459-5835 or Mike Safford at 459-5681.

C.A.A. BOOSTER DINNERS: Thanks to the over 80 folks that attended the first Coyote Athletic Association dinner last Monday night.  The next booster dinner will be on Monday night, Dec. 1, at 6:30 p.m. in the Fireplace Room at the Simplot Dining Hall on the Albertson campus.  

DON’T LOOK NOW, HERE COME THE ORANGES: Be on the lookout around the Treasure Valley for the Albertson baseball team as the annual Orange Sale will take over Canyon County.  If you cannot locate a player to purchase the oranges or grapefruits, contact head coach Shawn Humberger at 459-5861.

 

 

MEN’S BASKETBALL (4-1): Coyotes sky-high after sweep in Vegas, travel to Boise State on Thursday

 

LAST WEEK: lost at University of Nevada, 65-46; at NAIA Las Vegas Invitational – defeated Robert Morris, 83-81; defeated No. 9 William Jewell, 67-65.

 

COMING UP: at Boise State, Thursday, 7:35 p.m.

 

RADIO: All 29 regular-season contests will be broadcast live on radio (1490 KCID-AM) and internet (via the Albertson Athletic Website) during the 2003-04 season with Mike Safford Jr. calling the action for the third-consecutive year.  Join him Thursday night from The Pavilion at Boise State as the Coyotes take on the Broncos.  Pregame begins at 7:15 p.m., with tip-off at 7:35 p.m. – on the “Home of the ‘Yotes”, 1490 KCID-AM.

 

COYOTES COMPLETE VEGAS SWEEP: Seven trips to the NAIA Las Vegas Invitational and for the fourth time, the Albertson men’s basketball team completed the tournament with an unblemished record.  Facing national tournament caliber opponents, the Coyotes staved off a pair of game-winning shot attempts at the buzzer to improve to 4-1 on the season – a perfect 4-0 against NAIA competition.

 

KNOCKING OFF NO. 9: Head coach Mark Owen said prior to Saturday’s meeting with ninth-ranked William Jewell that he thought the Cardinals were “The best team he saw at the NAIA Division II National Tournament last March – a team that didn’t lose any talent.”  Building off that statement, it makes the Coyotes 67-65 victory over the Missouri squad that much more impressive.  After a see-saw first ten minutes, the ‘Yotes used a 15-2 first half run to open up a 35-22 advantage and held a seven-point lead at the break.  Albertson, who didn’t trail after the 9-7 mark of the opening half, led 62-50 with under five minutes to play – but would not convert another field goal the rest of the way.  Hampering the Coyotes even more was foul shooting – the ‘Yotes made just 1-of-5 down the stretch, allowing William Jewell a chance for the win at the buzzer – a three that clanged off the back iron.  Tom Perkes (Spokane, Wash. / Big Bend CC) led the charge with 21 points.

 

PLAYING WELL AT HOME: It was a great homecoming for guard Derek Brown (Las Vegas, Nev. / Desert Pines HS), who had two solid games in Vegas.  The sophomore averaged nearly ten points and five assists in the two games, logging a career-high 30 minutes of action in the victory over William Jewell.  “Derek is playing really well right now,” said head coach Mark Owen.

 

CAUGHT STEALING: A great all-around start to the 2003-04 season would best describe point-guard Joe Green (Pocatello, Idaho / BYU-Idaho), who has been solid from the get-go this year.  No flashy numbers – but yet very impressive – just under seven points a game, to go along with four rebounds, four assists, four steals, and a .500 percent average from three-point range.  His best statistic, however, is assists to turnovers, where the junior has recorded 21 assists to just five miscues.

 

ATHLETIC ROBERT MORRIS FALLS TO ‘YOTES: Two years ago, Robert Morris played for the NAIA Division II championship – and lost to the Coyotes earlier that season.  This year, the season started the same for the Eagles, as a late Albertson rally gave the ‘Yotes an 83-81 win.  Trailing 75-67 with less that four minutes left, Albertson went to a small line-up and man-to-man defense – and it paid dividends.  A Derek Brown three cut the lead to five, and after a turnover, Andy Harper (Idaho Falls, Idaho / Columbia Basin CC) buried a jumper to cut the deficit to three.  Brown would make 1-of-2 freebies to make it 75-73, and after another defensive stop, Tom Perkes hit two free throws to tie the score.  After a RMC free throw, Harper drained a free throw line jumper to give Albertson the lead at 77-76.  The Eagles would tip a shot in with 52 seconds left to take the lead, but E.J. Costello (Pleasanton, Calif. / Chabot CC) swished a three with 41 ticks left to give the ‘Yotes the lead for good.  Harper led Albertson with 23 points, with Costello adding 16 more as the Coyotes improved to 3-0 all-time against the Chicago school.

 

RENO WELCOMES BACK HUMPHREYS: What a great homecoming it was last Wednesday for post Steve Humphreys (Reno, Nev. / Lassen CC) in his return to Reno in the Coyotes 65-46 loss to Nevada.  With fifty local supporters in the stands all clad in Coyote Basketball t-shirts, the junior had an outstanding night, knocking home his first four shots en route to a 12 point, seven rebound night.  For the week, Humphreys averaged 11 points and five rebounds – and leads the team with six blocked shots.

 

MORE ON THE RENO GAME: It was a tale of “what might have been” for the Coyotes, who trailed 58-45 with just two minutes remaining – despite shooting a woeful .291 percent from the floor (lowest shooting percentage since a .326 percent night against Concordia in 2002).  Albertson never led in the game, yet rallied from a 8-0 deficit to tie the game at 10-10 and 12-12.  The Coyotes trailed just 17-16 with four minutes left in the first half, before Nevada went on a 14-2 run to end the period.  Andy Harper led the way with 13 points for Albertson.  

 

LEAST POINTS SINCE?: It wasn’t easy to score against Nevada, the preseason favorite in the Western Athletic Conference.  In fact, the 46 points scored by Albertson were the fewest scored by the ‘Yotes since the 1996-97 season.  That year, the Coyotes went to Monmouth, Ore. and stunned Western Oregon, 45-44 on Feb. 14.  It is just the third time since the 1979-80 season that Albertson has failed to score 50 points in a game – but the Coyotes are 2-1 in those games.

 

CASCADE CONFERENCE STARTS OUT WITH A BANG: Last season, the Cascade Conference saw all three of its qualifiers to the NAIA Division II national tournament record first-round victories.  This year, the CCC saw its members open up the 2003-04 season on a roll, with a collective 14-4 record.  Of the four losses, two were to NCAA Division I clubs, with the other two to NAIA Division I institutions.  Oregon Tech (NAIA preseason No. 2), Southern Oregon, defending champion Cascade, and Warner Pacific are all undefeated.

 

‘YOTES HEADED FOR MATCH-UP AT BOISE STATE: For the fourth consecutive season, Albertson will meet NCAA Division I and Western Athletic Conference member Boise State at The Pavilion.  The Broncos (13-16 in 2002-03) have their sights set higher after an eighth-place finish last season and a loss to Southern Methodist in the WAC Tournament.  Second-year head coach Greg Graham returns a trio of starters, including Second-Team All-WAC selection Aaron Haynes (14.7 ppg).  Also back in the line-up are guards Bryan Defares (14.2 ppg) and Joe Skiffer (4.0 ppg, 3.2 apg), and post Jason Ellis (9.4 ppg, 7.8 rpg).  BSU opened up its exhibition slate with a 94-79 victory over the Global Sports All-Starts.  The Broncos trailed 48-39 at halftime, but got a booster from Haynes, who scored a game-high 29 points.  The Broncos have won the past 14 meetings between the schools, and all 11 since becoming a four-year institution.

 

LAST SEASON VS. BOISE STATE: A game-winning three-point shot by sophomore Joe Green went in-and-out at the buzzer, giving host Boise State a come-from-behind 52-50 victory over Albertson College before 3,205 fans at the BSU Pavilion.  The Coyotes capped a 9-0 run with a Andy Harper three-ball with 5:32 remaining to give Albertson a 44-38 lead.  However, Boise State got three's from Bryan DeFares and C.J. Williams to tie the score, and weathered the 'Yote rally down the stretch earn the win over the NAIA opponent.  "I am really proud of the effort tonight," said Coyote head coach Mark Owen.  "Eric Hare and Tom Perkes played big in the second half.  Who would have believed that we would go into this building and have a shot to win it in the final seconds."  Albertson jumped out to a 10-3 lead, controlling the tempo with its motion offense.  However, the Coyotes went eight minutes without a field goal, allowing the Broncos to take their first lead at 17-16. The nip-and-tuck battle would see BSU hold no more than a three point lead all night.  Hare had a monster game for Albertson, working all night against the taller Bronco defenders.  The senior scored 17 points and a game-high 12 rebounds.  Perkes added 17 points and six boards, as the 'Yotes held a 34-29 rebound margin.  Boise State converted just 4-of-25 shots from outside the arc against the Albertson 2-3 zone, but got 17 points, seven rebounds, and four assists from the junior DeFares.  Williams chipped in with 13 points.

 

HISTORY AGAINST THE BRONCOS: The meeting against Boise State this Thursday is the 21st match-up between the Coyotes and Broncos since 1950 – but some of the history counts, some of it does not.  It is only the fourth meeting between “Boise State” and “Albertson” – eight meetings were Boise State vs. the College of Idaho, and eight meetings were between Boise Junior College and the College of Idaho.  Thursday’s game, along with the 2001 meeting, were both exhibitions for BSU – counting in the Albertson won-loss record, but not for the Broncos.  BSU also does not recognize the nine meetings prior to the 1968-69 season, while the institution was known as Boise JC. 

 

ALL TIME SCORES (ALBERTSON VS. BOISE STATE):

2002:  Boise State 52, Albertson 50

2001:  Boise State 80, Albertson 53                                               

2000:  Boise State 96, Albertson 76                            

1986:  Boise State 99, C of I 83                        

1970:  Boise State 90, C of I 77                        

          Boise State 108, C of I 77

1969:  Boise State 106, C of I 78   

Boise State 93, C of I 51

1968:  Boise State 79, C of I 73              

Boise State 92, C of I 67

Boise State 72, C of I 56    

1957:  Boise JC 63, C of I 51

          Boise JC 64, C of I 48

1956:  Boise JC 70, C of I 54

C of I 93, Boise JC 51

1952:  C of I 64, Boise JC 62

Boise JC 77, C of I 61

1951:  Boise JC 48, C of I 45

Boise JC 60, C of I 50

1950: C of I 67, Boise JC 59

 

MORE INFORMATION ON THE COYOTES: For game stories, statistics, and information regarding the Albertson men’s basketball program, head to the official site Coyote Basketball: www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/mensbasketball.htm. 

 

MEN’S SOCCER (15-5): Simon Fraser ends Coyotes season with 2-0 victory in NAIA Region I championship game

 

LAST WEEK: at NAIA Region I Tournament – defeated Concordia, 2-0; lost to No. 21 Simon Fraser, 2-0.

 

COYOTES END SEASON AT REGIONALS: A banner season for the Albertson men’s soccer team ended one win short of the NAIA National Championships, as No. 21 ranked Simon Fraser defeated the Coyotes, 2-0, to claim the NAIA Region I title.  With the loss, the ‘Yotes end their season with a 15-5 record – recording the third-highest total of wins in program history.

 

ABOUT THE FINAL: A fairly even contest throughout saw Simon Fraser get a pair of lucky breaks to score two first half goals and laid back in the defensive zone the rest of the game.  Clan defender Justin Dudley got SFU on the board in the 34th minute, heading home a corner from Jordan Rosenlund.  The Clan (12-5-1) made it 2-0 just before the break, as Kevin Crouch rocketed a 25-yard strike into the Upper V – a shot that Coyote head coach John Calpin said was a “World Cup Winner.”  Albertson had nine shots at Clan keeper Raegyn Hall, but could not find the net for only the fourth time in 20 games.  

 

COULD HAVE BEEN: Things could have changed early in the title game – as Albertson received two unlucky breaks.  Scoreless in the 19th minute, junior Dustin Crim (Boise, Idaho / Borah HS) made a run in the box and was tackled by the SFU keeper – which by rule is supposed to constitute a penalty kick.  However, no whistle was blown, thwarting an Albertson scoring chance.  Six minutes later, a corner kick for the ‘Yotes saw Brad Thornburg (Yreka, Calif. / Yreka HS) get a solid head on the ball, but the strike went just wide of the left post.

 

END OF AN ERA: The loss to Simon Fraser marked the final match as head coach for 18-year skipper, John Calpin.  The native of York, England has decided to retire after racking up 203 victories in the Coyote Purple and Gold.  His ‘Yotes have advanced to the playoffs on nine occasions, winning the 2000 Regional Championship, and played for two other regional titles, and one district title.  Calpin’s overall mark as a men’s coach with the ‘Yotes is 189-104-11, ranking him 17th on the all-time list, and holds a 203-119-16 record overall (including his three seasons as Lady ‘Yotes coach).  No word on a timeframe for a replacement for the Coyote legend.

 

END OF FOUR OTHER CAREERS: Coach Calpin was not the only person seeing their career end in Canada.  Two seniors – Brad Thornburg and Roger Aguilar (Payette, Idaho / Payette HS) saw action in their final game as a ‘Yote.  Thornburg, twice an All-Cascade Conference performer, ended his four-year career with ten goals and eight assists.  Aguilar, who also was a two-time All-CCC selection, finishes his four-year career with 21 goals and 24 assists.  Also ending their playing days are juniors Caleb Tormey (Grand Junction, Colo. / Fruita Monument HS) and Nick Piccono (Great Falls, Mont. / Great Falls HS) – who will both graduate in the spring.  Tormey recorded three assists in his career, while Piccono knocked home one goal and assisted on two others as a Coyote.

 

THIRD STRAIGHT WIN OVER CONCORDIA: To get to the title game, Albertson defeated Concordia for the third-consecutive time – a 2-0 decision on Friday afternoon.  A back-and-forth scoreless draw for the first 80 minutes saw the ‘Yotes finally break through in the 81st minute.  A mad scramble in the Concordia box saw the ball squirt towards Roger Aguilar, whose boot into the left corner gave Albertson a 1-0 lead.  The Coyotes would score an insurance marker in the 89th minute, when Tyler Seaman (Boise, Idaho / Centennial HS) rocketed home an Aguilar pass to lock up the win.  For keeper Ryan Huber (Eagle, Idaho / Eagle HS), it was his fifth shutout of the season and second against Concordia.

 

HISTORY IN PLAYOFFS: The 2003 season marked the ninth time in the 20-year history of the Albertson men’s soccer program that the Coyotes advanced to the playoffs.  The during that period of time, Albertson holds a 10-12 record in playoff games – 0-4 in District II competition, 5-4 in Cascade Conference Tournament play, 5-3 in NAIA Region I play, and 0-1 at the NAIA National Tournament.

 

1989 – Warner Pacific 3, College of Idaho 2 (District II Playoffs)

1990 – Warner Pacific 4, College of Idaho 1 (District II Playoffs)

1991 – Willamette 1, College of Idaho 0 (District II Playoffs)

1992 – Concordia 2, Albertson 0 (District II Playoffs)

1997 – Albertson 2, Concordia 1 (CCC Semifinal); Western Baptist 4, Albertson 3 (CCC Final)

1999 – Northwest 3, Albertson 2 (CCC Semifinal); Simon Fraser 7, Albertson 3 (Regional Semifinal – later forfeited to Albertson)

2000 – Albertson 3, Northwest 0 (CCC Semifinal); Albertson 2, Concordia 1 (CCC Final); Albertson 2, Concordia 0 (Regional Semifinal); Albertson 3, Simon Fraser 1 (Regional Final); Mobile (Ala.) 4, Albertson 2 (NAIA Tournament first-round)

2001 – Cascade 1, Albertson 0 (CCC Semifinal); Albertson 2, Westminster 0 (Regional Semifinal); Seattle 2, Albertson 0 (Regional Final)

2002 – Western Baptist 5, Albertson 0 (CCC Semifinal); Simon Fraser 5, Albertson 0 (Regional Semifinal)

2003 – Albertson 6, Western Baptist 2 (CCC Semifinal); Albertson 2, Concordia 1 (CCC Final); Albertson 2, Concordia 0 (Regional Semifinal); Simon Fraser 2, Albertson 0 (Regional Final)

 

RECORDS, RECORDS, RECORDS:  Speaking of records, 2003 was a record-setting year for the Coyotes.  Albertson shattered the school record for goals in a season with 73, assists with 83, and total points with 229 – in two less games than the 2001 team played.  Individually, Jason Southward (Hailey, Idaho / Wood River HS) became the fourth player in school history to score 20-or-more goals in a season.  Both Joe Chandler (Nampa, Idaho / University of Utah) and Ryan Abo (Boise, Idaho / Timberline HS) each had 15 assists, moving past the former mark of 14, set by Coe Michaelson.  Southward has scored 45 goals in his three-year career – ranking him fourth on the all-time list (just four behind Jared Larsen and the No. 3 spot), is No. 5 on the all-time points scored list with 111, and is eighth all-time in assists with 21.  Abo moved into third-place all-time with 30 assists, while Roger Aguilar is now sixth all-time with 23 assists.

 

MORE INFORMATION ON THE COYOTES: For game stories, statistics, and information regarding the Albertson men’s soccer program, head to the official site Coyote Soccer: www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/menssoccer.htm.  Each night, scores and updated standings are posted on the Conference Standings page within the Albertson men’s soccer website at www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/msoccer/stats/standings.htm.  

 

 

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL (0-1): Boise State too much for Lady ‘Yotes, squad heads to Salt Lake for three games

 

LAST WEEK: lost at Boise State, 69-39.

 

THIS WEEK: at Westminster Invitational – vs. Westminster, Thursday, 6 p.m.; vs. Great Falls, Friday, 8 p.m.; vs. Montana-Western, Saturday, 4 p.m.

 

ROSSI HAPPY WITH PERFORMANCE AT BOISE STATE: A quote from the Idaho Press Tribune said it all – “"Our goal was to execute, play tough defense and control the tempo -- take care of those three things and we'll be fine," said head coach Reagan Rossi, after Boise State knocked off the Lady ‘Yotes, 69-39 on Saturday. "Granted, we still had some realistic idea of how things were going to go today, but we did the three things we needed to do.  "We do that against any other opponent, we've got a good chance."  What Albertson did was play tenacious defense for 20 minutes, holding the Western Athletic Conference squad to just 22 first half points and trailed by seven at the break.  "Once we did settle down and realized what we can do and used our screens and set ourselves up, we saw that we can execute," Rossi said. "That was the goal, if we can execute against Boise State we can execute against anybody else we play this year." 

 

TURNOVERS THE KEY: Boise State handed the Lady ‘Yotes their sixth consecutive loss (dating back to last season) by opening the second half on a 9-0 run to put the game away.  Although the Coyotes and Broncos were deadlocked on the boards, Albertson managed to hit just .275 percent of their field goals – and made more free throws (15) than shots from the floor (11).  The costly number was turnovers – 38 to be exact, which Boise State turned into 32 points.  Dani Cotterell (Nampa, Idaho / Nampa HS) scored all of her team-high eight points in the second half, while seven other players contributed in the scoring column – but none more than six points.

 

STRANGE NUMBERS: The 38 turnovers established a new single-game record for the Lady ‘Yotes – six more than the squad recorded on two separate occasions (including the 32 turnovers in a double-overtime loss to Northwest last season).  The 39 points scored was the fourth-lowest output in school history – higher than the 34 points against Montana-Western in 1996, and higher than both the 37 points (vs. NNU) and 38 points (vs. Western Baptist) from the 1998-99 season.

 

CLOSEST GAME VS. DIVISION I?: The survey says…no, it wasn’t.  But the 30-point margin of defeat ranked second among the five other games the Lady ‘Yotes have played against an NCAA Division I opponent.  Ironically, it was their first-ever game against a Division I team – the University of Wyoming in 1995, where the Coyotes dropped a 69-53 decision in Laramie.  Since then, Albertson has dropped games by margins of 32 points (twice), 44 points, 48 points, and on Saturday, 30 points.

 

OFF TO SALT LAKE FOR TOURNAMENT: A lot of unknowns await the Lady ‘Yotes when they head to Westminster College this weekend for the Westminster Invitational – considering there is not much information available about the teams.  Albertson opens up the tournament against host Westminster, who received votes in the initial NAIA Division I national poll.  The Griffins (1-2) opened up the season with a tough 74-67 loss to Brigham Young, dropped a 56-43 decision to Azusa Pacific, but got into the win column with a 55-43 victory over Evergreen.  All-American post Rebekah Steenblik (18.0 ppg) returns as the main Westminster threat.  Albertson split a pair of games with the Griffins last season, but leads the all-time series 3-1.  Friday night, the Lady ‘Yotes hook up with the University of Great Falls, another Frontier Conference school.  The Argonauts (1-3) have had a tough preseason, losing lopsided contests to Dickinson State and Mary.  Not much is known about UGF – except for the fact that Albertson has won all four previous encounters with the Argos.  Saturday, Montana-Western ends the Coyotes stay on the Wasatch, as the schools play for the first time since the 2000 season.  The Bulldogs (3-5), ranked No. 19 in the NAIA Division I preseason poll have dropped all four games against NCAA or NAIA opponents, with Hillary Taylor (11.1 ppg, 6.7 rpg) leading the way.  The 2002-03 team advanced to the Sweet Sixteen of the NAIA Tournament.  Western leads the all-time series, 5-2.

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE LADY ‘YOTES: For up-to-date statistics, stories, and information about the Albertson women’s basketball team, head to the official website for the Lady ‘Yotes – www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/wmensbasketball.htm.  For updated scores and standings from the Cascade Conference women’s basketball season, head to www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/wbasketball/stats/standings.htm.

 

VOLLEYBALL (18-8): Highest regular-season finish nets Coyotes first-ever CCC Tournament first-round bye

 

LAST WEEK: Defeated Northwest Nazarene, 3-0; defeated Cascade, 3-0; defeated Warner Pacific, 3-0.

 

COMING UP: at Cascade Conference Tournament, Ashland, Ore. – Semifinal vs. Evergreen-Concordia winner, Friday, 4 p.m. (PST); vs. Southern Oregon, Oregon Tech, or Western Baptist, Saturday, third-place (4 p.m.) or championship game (7 p.m.).

 

THANK YOU WESTERN, LADY ‘YOTES TO RECEIVE FIRST-ROUND BYE: With two wins last week, coupled with a Western Baptist win over Concordia, the Albertson volleyball team will receive a first-round bye when the 2003 Cascade Conference Tournament kicks off this Friday in Ashland, Ore.  The Coyotes second-place regular-season finish was the highest in school history, as were the 13 league wins (Albertson had finished in third-place each of the last three seasons, and recorded 12 wins during the 2000 season).  Southern Oregon ended Concordia’s four-year reign as league champ, although the Raiders have claimed each of the last two Regional titles.

 

MORE ON THE TOURNAMENT: As the No. 2 seed, Albertson will play the winner of the Concordia vs. Evergreen match.  The Cavaliers (12-12) have had the Coyotes number this season, winning a four-game meeting in Portland, while sweeping Albertson in Caldwell.  Outside Amanda Larsen is averaging 3.5 kills per game against the Lady ‘Yotes, who have hit just .182 against the Cavs.  Concordia has won 11 consecutive matches against Albertson.  The Geoducks (14-11) are making their first playoff appearance in school history, having won a tiebreaker with Northwest for sixth-place.  Evergreen has split matches with Albertson each of the past two years – including a four-gamer two weeks ago in Olympia.  The Clams served up 17 aces in that win, with four players recording double-digit kills.  Albertson is 4-2 all-time against Evergreen.  If the Coyotes win, they will play for the loop title at 7 p.m. on Saturday; a loss and they play for third-place at 4 p.m.  Albertson is a combined 4-2 this season against Southern Oregon, Western Baptist, and Oregon Tech – defeating all three of the clubs on the road.  The teams who play for the league championship are guaranteed a spot in next weekend’s NAIA Region I Tournament, while a possible third team will be selected due to regional ranking.

 

REGIONAL RANKINGS: Things remained pretty inactive this week in the NAIA Region I top-ten poll, as Southern Oregon (ranked No. 20 in the NAIA) continued as the top team in the region.  No. 2 went to Lewis-Clark State (No. 24 in the NAIA), with Carroll at No. 3, followed Concordia, Montana-Western, and the Lady ‘Yotes.  The final four slots are occupied by Montana Tech, Western Baptist, Rocky Mountain, and Oregon Tech.

 

‘YOTES SWEEP SERIES FROM NORTHWEST NAZARENE: It wasn’t as exciting this time around.  Unlike the dramatic five-game win in Nampa, the Lady ‘Yotes needed just 75 minutes to knock off their NCAA Division II rivals last Tuesday night – 30-25, 30-27, 30-23.  Four players recorded double-figure kill outings, led by freshman Tiffany Sower (Eagle, Idaho / Eagle HS) with 13.  It was the second time in the last four seasons that the Coyotes have taken both regular season matches from Northwest Nazarene.

 

MONSTER MATCH: The NNU win also featured one of the best performances in the career of Amanda Basañez (Elko, Nev. / College of Southern Idaho).  The senior All-Conference selection recorded her seventh triple-double of the season with an 11 kill, 28 assist, and ten dig night against the Crusaders.  What was even more impressive was the fact that Basañez did not have an attack error in the 22 swings in the match.

 

SIX POINTS?: A tough 2003 season for Cascade was made tougher on Friday night by the Coyote spikers, as Albertson swept three quick games from the T-Birds.  Game 1 was a debacle for Cascade, as the Lady ‘Yotes won 30-6, the fewest points Albertson has given up in a game since rally score was started in 2001 (former mark was a 30-10 win over Westminster on Oct. 11, 2002).    All 15 active players on the roster saw action in the win, as Albertson equaled a season-high with a .385 attack percentage.

 

SENIOR NIGHT WIN: For the three seniors on the Coyote team, Saturday night was their final appearance in the J.A. Albertson Activites Center – and they went out with a bang in a 30-14,30-15, 31-29 win over Warner Pacific.  Kristen Bailey (Fountain Green, Utah / Snow CC), who sang the national anthem prior to the match, recorded 11 kills and six blocks, while Amber Igoe (Blackfoot, Idaho / Firth HS) led all players with 17 digs. 

 

RECORD PACE: Albertson is currently on pace to set a new school-record for kills and aces per game in a season.  The Lady ‘Yotes are averaging 15.60 kills per game, ahead of the 15.23 kills per game they averaged during the 2000 season, and are averaging 2.63 aces per game, ahead of the record of 2.56 aces per game set last season

 

MORE RECORDS: Kristen Bailey is on pace to record two single-season top-five performances this season.  The senior, who leads the league in both blocks and attack percentage – currently ranks No. 3 on the all-time list for blocks per game in a season and No. 5 on the all-time attack percentage list (this can fluctuate for the remainder of the season).  With 54 aces, Tiffany Sower is in a three-way tie for No. 4 on the single-season ace list. 

CONFERENCE LEADERS: Albertson continues to dominate the Cascade Conference team statistics, finding themselves among the top-two in all six statistical categories.  The Coyotes lead the league in kills per game (15.60) and assists per game (14.26), while ranking second in attack percentage (.236), aces per game (2.63), blocks per game (2.15), and digs per game (16.38).  No less than seven Lady ‘Yote regulars find their names in the CCC’s top-ten in individual categories.  Kristen Bailey continues to lead the league in both the blocks per game (1.21) and attack percentage (.337), while Tiffany Sower is second in the loop in aces (54) and aces per game (0.67), along with being and seventh in digs per game (3.14).  Brittany Bonnett (Logandale, Nev. / Dixie State CC) is third both in digs per game (3.26) and aces per game (0.57).  Both setters are on the list – Amanda Basañez (ninth in assists per game) and Erin Cherrington (Granby, Colo. / Middle Fork HS) (tenth in assists per game), while Fran Hartman (Lakeview, Ore. / Lakeview HS) is seventh in blocks per game (0.76) and libero Amber Igoe moved up to fourth in digs per game (3.25).

 

RAFFLE FOR QUILT: The Coyote volleyball team is holding a raffle for an 86-square inch quilt to be drawn on May 9, 2004.  The original design “Crown Jubilee” will be present at all home matches and is valued at over $800.  Tickets are just one dollar each, or six tickets for five dollars – and can be purchased at all home volleyball matches, or by calling coach Liz Mendiola at 459-5858.

 

MORE INFORMATION ON THE LADY ‘YOTES: For game stories, statistics, and information regarding the Albertson women’s volleyball program, head to the official site Lady ‘Yote volleyball: www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/vball.htm.  Each night, scores and updated standings are posted on the Conference Standings page within the Albertson volleyball website at www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/vball/stats/standings.htm.  

 

SHARE THE POSSIBILITIES AT ALBERTSON COLLEGE:  Refer a student!  Just complete the referral form on the web site: http://www.collegeofidaho.edu/alumni/alumni_relations/Referral.htm or contact Charlene Brown , Assistant Director of Admission, cbrown@albertson.edu, phone (208) 459-5689.

 

 

- ALBERTSON -