‘Yote Notes – Nov. 3, 2003

Mike Safford Jr. – Sports Info. Director

msafford@albertson.edu

 

 

 

 

 

GENERAL ATHLETIC NEWS:

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.  

SOFTBALL STEAK AND CRAB FEED: The Albertson softball team First-Annual Steak and Crab Feed in Boise was a huge success.  The squad made over $10,000 at the event and auction.  Special thanks to the parents for the countless hours of support and dedication.

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 (2-0): Coyotes complete first Montana sweep since the 1988-89 season – off to Nevada for trio of games

 

LAST WEEK: won at Montana Tech, 85-58; won at Montana-Western, 99-87.

 

COMING UP: at University of Nevada, Wednesday, 7:05 p.m. (PST); at NAIA Las Vegas Invitational – Friday vs. Robert Morris (Ill.), 3 p.m. (PST); Saturday vs. William Jewell (Mo.), 1 p.m. (PST)

 

‘YOTES COMPLETE RARE SWEEP IN MONTANA: Since the 1950-51 season, the Albertson men’s basketball team has had trouble winning in Big Sky country.  So much so, that only on two occasions during that 52-year period (Dick Carrow’s 1970-71 team and Marty Holly’s 1988-89 team) had the ‘Yotes completed a sweep in the state of Montana – that is until this past weekend.  Albertson defeated Montana Tech on the road for the first time since 1987 and Montana-Western for the first time in Dillon since 1988 – completing the first Montana sweep in 15 years.

 

BALANCED EFFORT IN BUTTE: Playing at 5,400 feet of elevation for a season opener is not easy – ask the Coyotes.  However, with four players scoring in double figures, Albertson opened the 2003-04 campaign with an 85-58 win at Montana Tech in the HPER Building.  The ‘Yotes took the lead for good at 9-8 on an Andy Harper (Idaho Falls, Idaho / Columbia Basin CC) trey – three of his 16 points, and eventually sprinted out to a 37-21 halftime edge.  Justin McCarthy (Boise, Idaho / Boise HS) went 7-for-8 from the floor for his 14 points, while senior All-American Tom Perkes (Spokane, Wash. / Big Bend CC) led all players with 22 points.

 

HUMPHREYS SOLID IN DEBUT: Junior transfer Steve Humphreys (Reno, Nev. / Lassen CC) played well in his first game in a Coyote uniform, scoring ten points and grabbing a team-high eight rebounds.  He also used his 6-9 frame to his advantage, recording two of the eight Albertson blocked shots.

 

RUN-AND-GUN STIFLED: Heading into Saturday’s contest with the Coyotes, Montana-Western was averaging 127 points a game, along with nearly 46 three-point attempts a night (making 20 per game).  The No. 12 ranked ‘Yotes put clamps on the Bulldogs in a 99-87 victory – limiting Western to just 5-for-16 shooting from outside the arc in the win.  An up-and-down first 15 minutes saw Western take a 32-25 lead with nine minutes remaining in the half.  However, a 10-1 Albertson run, keyed by a pair of Andy Harper (24 points) three-pointers, gave the Coyotes a 40-38 lead – an advantage they would never relinquish.  Two free throws following a technical foul on head coach Mark Owen brought the Bulldogs to within 65-63 in the second half, but junior transfer E.J. Costello (Pleasanton, Calif. / Chabot CC) caught fire – scoring 21 of his game-high 27 points in the period to put the game away.

 

GREAT GUARD PLAY: Along with Costello and Harper, both Joe Green (Pocatello, Idaho / BYU-Idaho) and Derek Brown (Las Vegas, Nev. / Desert Pines HS) had outstanding weekends.  Green was sharp at the point, averaging nearly ten points, five rebounds, five assists, and five steals per game – while holding the opponents point guards in check.  Brown was steady off the bench, recording eight assists, while keying the ‘Yote zone attack against Tech, and playing tough man-defense against Western.

 

WHO NEEDS TO BE AT HOME: Playing their first nine games away from the J.A. Albertson Activities Center, the Coyotes got off to a good start in the stat category.  The ‘Yotes hit 67-of-133 shots from the field (.504 percent), while converting 19-of-41 three-point attempts (.463 percent).  The top shooting free throw team in the NAIA from 2002-03 started strong again (31-of-37, .838 percent), while the squad held advantages in rebounds and forced turnovers.

 

THINK LAST WEEK WAS TOUGH, THINK AGAIN: Hoops in Montana may be tough, but the three game stretch in Nevada this week is almost unreal.  Wednesday night, the Coyotes make their first appearance in the Lawlor Events Center in Reno for the first time in a decade, as Albertson meets preseason WAC favorite, Nevada.  The Wolfpack (18-14 in 2002-03) advanced to the NIT last season, and were picked ahead of Hawaii, Tulsa, and Fresno State in the preseason poll.  Trent Johnson’s club returns the preseason WAC Player-of-the-Year in Kirk Snyder (16 ppg, eight rpg) – who has the highest points per game average of any returning player in the conference.  The game counts as an exhibition for the Pack, but will count in the win-loss column for the ‘Yotes.  It is the ninth meeting between the schools since the series started in 1955 – with Nevada holding a 6-2 advantage – with the Coyotes getting their last win in 1966 by a 75-72 margin (the two Albertson wins were when UNR was not a member of the NCAA Division I).  After an off day on Thursday, the ‘Yotes return to the NAIA Las Vegas Invitational for the seventh consecutive season.  Albertson opens up against Robert Morris of Chicago, Ill.  The Golden Eagles (24-10 in 2002-03) moved up from the NAIA Division II to the NAIA Division I after a national runner-up finish two years ago, and return athletic swingmen Theo Williams (11.9 ppg) and Willie McCloud (11.0 ppg).  The Coyotes have won both meeting with RMC, including an 85-80 win in 2001.  Saturday, Albertson meets host William Jewell.  The Cardinals (23-14 in 2002-03) joined the ‘Yotes with a second-round exit at the NAIA Division II tournament – losing an overtime decision to eventual national champ, Northwestern (Iowa).  The No. 9 team in the preseason national poll has a lot to play for this season – as their campus was devastated by a tornado in early May.  Hall-of-Fame coach Larry Holley returns All-American post Pierre Jallow (11.8 ppg) and sophomore guard Cam Cooper (11.9 ppg) from a balanced scoring team.  It is the second meeting between the clubs, with Jewell knocked off Albertson in 1997.       

 

COYOTES ON THE RADIO AND INTERNET: All 29 regular-season contests will be broadcast live on radio 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 Wednesday night from Reno on the home of Coyote basketball, KCID 1490-AM, with the pregame show at 7:45 p.m.  The ‘Yotes will be on the air Friday (4 p.m.) and Saturday (2 p.m.) from Las Vegas.  Coyote basketball, brought to you by Paul’s Market, Hopkins Financial Services, Les Schwab Tires, Elliott’s Sports Pub and Grill, U.S. Bank, Edmark Superstore, Caldwell Best Western Inn and Suites, and Franklin Building Supply.

 

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 (14-4): Coyotes take Cascade Conference tourney title, off to Canada for NAIA Regional

 

LAST WEEK: Defeated Western Baptist, 6-2; defeated Concordia, 2-1

 

COMING UP: NAIA Region I Tournament, Burnaby, B.C. – Friday vs. Concordia, 2 p.m. (PST); Saturday (with win) vs. Simon Fraser-Westminster winner, 1 p.m. (PST)

 

WEIRD WEEK TURNS OUT FOR ‘YOTES: Elation, to relaxation, to shock, and to elation again – that was the mood of the week for the Albertson men’s soccer team as the Coyotes had peaks and valleys they had to traverse on their way to a Cascade Conference Tournament title.  After apparently sewing up a regional berth with a win over Western Baptist (and a chance a Saturday match with Concordia would be cancelled for financial reasons), the NAIA ruled on a Longo rating interpretation, sending the ‘Yotes to Portland – where they knocked off the regular-season champion Cavaliers for the second time this season.

 

WHAT WAS WRONG: A minute detail was missed when officials from the NAIA Region I were calculating Longo ratings for the five teams involved in the race for the four slots in the regional tournament.  No one questioned the Longo ratings, which had Simon Fraser, Westminster, Concordia, Albertson, and Western Baptist ranked No. 1-5.  However, a note in the by-laws stated that if a team was within 25 Longo points of another and had defeated that team during the regular-season, the lower team would flip-flop the higher team in the standings.  Therefore, win-or-lose on Thursday, Albertson would have been sitting in fifth-place in the regional standings because of their two losses to Western Baptist.  That forced the ‘Yotes to win the CCC Tournament to earn a regional spot – which brought this precedent to light again, as the Coyotes knocked off Westminster during the regular-season (as did Concordia), moving the Griffins to the No. 4 seed – giving Albertson their fourth game this season with the Cavaliers.

 

COYOTES CLAIM SECOND CCC TOURNEY TITLE: Albertson was able to avenge one of their regular-season losses with a 2-1 victory at Concordia on a cool afternoon in Portland.  Unlike the 5-2 decision the Cavs handed the ‘Yotes in September, Albertson was able to put up an iron wall around the goal for the first 86 minutes, and despite just four shots on goal, mustered enough offense to win.  Senior midfielder Brad Thornburg (Yreka, Calif. / Yreka HS) got the Coyotes on the board in the opening frame, heading home a John Mitchell (Boise, Idaho / Boise State) free kick with six minutes remaining in the period.  Albertson would make it 2-0 five minutes into the second half as All-American defender Drake Jakovac (Boise, Idaho / Timberline HS) pushed forward and knocked home a ball off a great combination from Thornburg and Dustin Crim (Boise, Idaho / Borah HS).  The Cavs would answer with four minutes left – but the ‘Yotes would weather a barrage of shots late to take home the championship.

 

DEFENSE THE KEY: Head coach John Calpin, who picked up win No. 202 in his career, singled out the defense in the victory.  One of the shining spots in the statistics was the fact that the Coyotes held CCC Player-of-the-Year, Tony Ballew, without a shot in the 90 minutes.  In the last two matches against Concordia, Albertson has allowed just one goal on 18 shots (eight on goal).

 

FINALLY FIGURED OUT WESTERN CURSE: There was something about Western Baptist that the Coyotes just couldn’t figure out.  After losing four consecutive matches to the Warriors (including a playoff game in 2002), going 232 minutes without a goal against the Salem school, Albertson figured things out in a hurry en route to a 6-2 victory on Thursday at Symms Field.  After Danny Agee got Western on the board in the 14th minute, sophomore Joe Chandler (Nampa, Idaho / University of Utah) rattled off two quick goals in the next four minutes and the ‘Yotes were off and running.  Playing for the first time since straining a groin against Warner Pacific, Jason Southward (Hailey, Idaho / Wood River HS) knocked home two goals as the ‘Yotes built a 5-1 lead.  Not to be outdone, reserve forward Tyler Seaman (Boise, Idaho / Centennial HS) replaced Southward midway through the second half and contributed his first goal of the season, along with an assist.

 

OVER THE HUMP IN THE FIRST ROUND: Things had not gone smoothly in recent history for the Coyotes in the Cascade Conference Tournament.  In 1999, Albertson lost a first-round game at home against Northwest; in 2001, the ‘Yotes lost a 1-0 match-up with Cascade; and last season, a 5-0 loss in the ten-degree weather to Western Baptist.  The lone time Albertson had a victory during this period – 2000, when they swept Northwest and Concordia – the ‘Yotes went on to claim the regional title and earned a berth to the NAIA Tournament.

 

CHANDLER TAKES OUT AGGRESSION AFTER SNUB: It was a shocking fact last week when striker Joe Chandler was completely left off the 2003 All-Cascade Conference team when it was announced by the seven head coaches in the league.  Chandler, who had scored 14 goals and assisted on 14 others during the regular season, ranking him sixth in the loop in points.  The sophomore made a case for an All-Region nomination against Western, recording his second hat trick of the season, to go along with an assist. 

 

RECORDS, RECORDS, RECORDS:  Speaking of records, 2003 is a record-setting year for the Coyotes.  Albertson has now shattered the school record for goals in a season with 71, assists with 82, and total points with 224 – in five less games than the 2001 team played.  Individually, Jason Southward has become the fourth player in school history to score 20-or-more goals in a season, and sits three goals behind Matt Blazek’s school record of 23.  Both Joe Chandler and Ryan Abo (Boise, Idaho / Timberline HS) each have 15 assists, moving past the former mark of 14, set by Coe Michaelson.  Southward has now 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 has moved into third-place all-time with 30 assists, while Roger Aguilar (Payette, Idaho / Payette HS) is now sixth all-time with 23 assists.

 

ABOUT THE REGIONAL TOURNAMENT: The Coyotes return to the NAIA Region I event for the fifth consecutive season – holding a 3-2 record in the event (including a forfeit win over Simon Fraser in 1999).  Albertson will meet Concordia in the semifinals – the fourth meeting of the season between the clubs.  All three previous meetings have been exceptional battles this season from the premier clubs in the Cascade Conference.  Furthermore, Concordia (14-8) head coach Dan Birkey (213 wins) and Albertson coach John Calpin (202 wins) are among the winningest coaches around.  A key for the Cavs is the health of CCC Player-of-the-Year Tony Ballew (ten goals, five assists), who has been hampered with a hamstring injury.  It is the 32nd meeting between the clubs, with Albertson holding a 16-14-1 advantage.  The winner of the Albertson-Concordia game will face either No. 1 seeded Simon Fraser or No. 4 seeded Westminster.  The Clan (9-5-2) have been ranked in the Top-25 for most of the season and played a very difficult schedule – laden with nationally-ranked opponents.  All-American forward Andrew Corraza (ten goals, two assists) and midfielder Kevin Crouch (nine goals, five assists) are tough to stop, while keeper Raegyn Hall (0.98 GAA) is one of the best in the region.  It is the fifth meeting between the clubs, with the series deadlocked a 2-2.  The ‘Yotes have already defeated the No. 4 seeded Griffins (9-9-2), a 4-1 decision in September.  Head coach Chris Dorich will be the next region leader to reach the 200 win plateau, as the 18th year chief has won 183 games.  It is the 24th meeting between the teams, with the Griffins holding an 11-10-2 series edge.

 

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 (0-0): Lady ‘Yotes head to Boise State on Saturday to open 2003-04 season

 

COMING UP: at Boise State, Saturday, 2 p.m.

 

COYOTES AGAINST D-I TEAMS: The 2003-04 Albertson women’s basketball team opens up the new season in a difficult spot – at NCAA Division I Boise State.  It will be the fifth time that the Lady ‘Yotes have played against an premier-level opponent – playing previous games at Wyoming, twice at Utah, and this being the second meeting with the Broncos.  Albertson is 0-4 in the games against Division I opponents.

 

SCRIMMAGE GETS FEET WET: Saturday afternoon, the Lady ‘Yotes held a scrimmage against the College of Southern Idaho, allowing Reagan Rossi a chance to see her new team play against someone other than themselves.  “One thing that we saw in the scrimmage was the fact that if we execute the offense correctly, we will get good shots,” said Rossi.  “That is a very good sign.”

 

PLAYING WITOUT TWO CONTRIBUTORS: The Lady ‘Yotes will be without a pair of players at the start of the season.  Forward Kasey Hooter (Nampa, Idaho / Walla Walla CC) will not join the team until after volleyball season – as she is a right-side hitter for the Coyote spikers.  Freshman guard Libby Baker (Dillon, Mont. / Beaverhead County HS) will miss the first few weeks rehabbing a leg injury.

 

PROJECTED STARTING LINE-UP: Heading into the game Saturday at the BSU Pavilion, the projected starting five for the Lady ‘Yotes looks pretty promising.  Senior Krystal Thacker (Elko, Nev. / BYU-Idaho) will start at the point, with fellow senior Heidi Goicoechea (Burley, Idaho / Burley HS) and junior transfer Tabatha Hyer (Caldwell, Idaho / Umpqua CC) starting at the wings.  The forwards are a pair of seniors in Lindsey Karren (Brigham City, Utah / Salt Lake CC) and Michelle Dyreng (Fruit Heights, Utah / Snow CC).

 

ABOUT THE BRONCOS: Last season, Boise State (10-20 in 2002-03) knocked off Albertson, 90-46, behind 28 points from departed senior, Abby Vaughan.  Jen Warden’s Broncos return two starters – Camille Woodfield (8.9 ppg, 6.8 rpg) and Lynette Grondin (7.7 ppg) – from a team that advanced to the quarterfinals in the WAC Tournament.  Boise State’s Jaime Hawkins (8.7 ppg) was named to the All-WAC second-team in the preseason coaches poll – the same poll in which the Broncos were picked to finish ninth in the ten-team league.

 

PRESEASON POLL: Albertson was picked to finish fifth in the Cascade Conference preseason coaches’ poll.  Oregon Tech, which knocked the Lady ‘Yotes out of the 2002-03 CCC Tournament, was the top team – and ranked No. 22 in the initial NAIA Division II national poll.  The Owls were followed by Western Baptist, Southern Oregon, Eastern Oregon, and the Coyotes.  Rounding out the top-ten were Warner Pacific, Concordia, Northwest, Evergreen, and Cascade.

 

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 (15-8, 11-5 CCC): Coyotes round out regular-season with three-game homestand beginning Tuesday vs. N.N.U.

 

LAST WEEK: Defeated Eastern Oregon, 3-0; won at Northwest, 3-1; lost at Evergreen, 3-1.

 

COMING UP: vs. Northwest Nazarene, Tuesday, 7 p.m.; vs. Cascade, Friday, 7 p.m.; vs. Warner Pacific, Saturday, 7 p.m.

 

LADY ‘YOTES CLINCH PLAYOFF SPOT: With a 2-1 week, the Albertson volleyball team sewed up a berth in the Cascade Conference tournament for the fifth consecutive season, and for the sixth time in seven years.  The Lady ‘Yotes, along with Southern Oregon, Concordia, and Western Baptist, have all qualified for the tournament – with Evergreen, Northwest, and Oregon Tech fighting for the final two spots.  Southern Oregon must win one of its final two games of the season (at home against Northwest and Evergreen) to clinch home court for the tournament – to be held November 14 and 15.

 

REGIONAL RANKINGS: Things changed dramatically in the NAIA Region I weekly top-ten poll – thanks to a clarification of rating procedures to the three-person committee.  Using different criteria than in previous weeks – the group had Southern Oregon (ranked No. 21 in the NAIA) as the top team in the region, followed by Lewis-Clark State – which had been mired for weeks in the No. 4 or No. 5 spot.  Carroll remained at No. 3, followed by a streaking Concordia squad, Montana-Western, and the Lady ‘Yotes.  The final four slots are occupied by Montana Tech (dropping from No. 2 after losing four of their last seven matches), Western Baptist, Rocky Mountain, and Evergreen.

 

EASTERN LEAVES CALDWELL WITH NO SUCCESS: Life against the Lady ‘Yotes has not been easy for the Eastern Oregon spikers, and last Tuesday was no different.  The closest Cascade Conference rival for Albertson lost for the 17th consecutive time against the Coyotes, a resounding  30-12, 30-19, 30-21 win at the Activities Center.  Kristen Bailey (Fountain Green, Utah / Snow CC) hit at a 50-percent clip, with 13 kills and three blocks, while Tiffany Sower (Eagle, Idaho / Eagle HS) knocked home 12 kills and registered eight digs. 

 

BLINK AND YOU COULD HAVE MISSED IT: If you decided to get to Tuesday’s match with Eastern Oregon late – you may have missed it.  The entire match took a total of 67 minutes – that is including the ten minute promotion break between the second and third games.

 

ANOTHER TRIPLE-DOUBLE: Rack up another triple-double for Coyote setter/outside hitter Amanda Basañez (Elko, Nev. / College of Southern Idaho).  The senior All-Conference player had 12 kills, 23 assists, and 15 digs on the night – the sixth time this season that she has accomplished the feat. 

 

ALBERTSON COMPLETES SEASON SWEEP OF NORTHWEST: Beginning their final road trip of the regular season, the Lady ‘Yotes picked up a hard-fought 31-33, 31-29, 30-27, 30-28 victory over the Eagles.  Brittany Bonnett (Logandale, Nev. / Dixie State CC) was the hitting star on the night, spiking home 17 kills to go along with 12 digs – her 12th double-double of the season.  Fran Hartman (Lakeview, Ore. / Lakeview HS) added 13 kills, with Tiffany Sower continued her consistent play bumping and spiking – with 13 kills and 18 digs – her tenth consecutive match with eight or more digs.

 

‘YOTES CAN’T DIG UP THE CLAMS: For the second consecutive season, Evergreen pulled off a shocker on their home court, taking advantage of a poor showing by the Coyotes for a 3-1 win.  Albertson had a season-high 19 aces, but had 15 service errors and 17 receive errors in the loss.  The defeat also broke the ‘Yotes back – Albertson must sweep its final two CCC matches, while having Concordia and Southern Oregon lose their remaining matches to host the CCC Tournament.

 

RECORD PACE: Albertson is currently on pace to set a new school-record for kills per game in a season.  The Lady ‘Yotes are averaging 15.41 kills per game, ahead of the 15.23 kills per game they averaged during the 2000 season.

 

CONFERENCE LEADERS: Albertson continues to dominate the Cascade Conference team statistics, finding themselves among the top-two in all six categories.  The Coyotes lead the league in kills per game (15.41) and assists per game (14.11), while ranking second in attack percentage (.230), aces per game (2.74), blocks per game (2.05), and digs per game (16.04).  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 (1.18) and attack percentage (.332), while Tiffany Sower is second in the loop in aces per game (0.68) and eighth in digs per game (3.04).  Brittany Bonnett is third both in digs per game (3.28) and aces per game (0.56).  Both setters are on the list – Amanda Basañez (eighth in assists per game) and Erin Cherrington (Granby, Colo. / Middle Fork HS) (ninth in assists per game), while Fran Hartman is eighth in blocks per game (0.72) and libero Amber Igoe (Blackfoot, Idaho / Firth HS) moved up to sixth in digs per game (3.12).

 

IGOE MOVES INTO EIGHTH PLACE IN DIGS: With 23 digs in the three matches last week, senior Amber Igoe has recorded 897 digs in her four-year Coyote career, moving her past Miranda Harris and into eighth-place on the all-time list.  Igoe is now just 103 digs away from becoming the seventh player in school history to eclipse the 1,000 mark in a career.

 

THREE HOME GAMES THIS WEEK TO ROUND OUT THE REGULAR SEASON: Home is a nice play to be as the Lady ‘Yotes end the 2003 regular season.  The final non-conference match is a barnburner, as rival Northwest Nazarene makes its return appearance at the Activities Center.  The Crusaders (10-14) are tied for sixth in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference and have been playing well as of late – including a win over Alaska-Anchorage on Saturday night.  Lindsay Miller (3.59 k/g) has become the go-to hitter for NNU, while libero Laryssa Mereszczak (3.79 d/g) is the top passer.  Albertson defeated NNU in five games back in September – but the Crusaders lead the all-time series 25-13 since 1990.  The ladies end the CCC season with matches against Cascade and Warner Pacific.  The T-Birds (5-16, 1-14) have won just one match this season against an NAIA school (five-game win over Eastern Oregon in October), but have gained confidence with sweeps of Walla Walla and Multnomah Bible.  Cascade is led by outside hitter Laura Weigandt (3.27 k/g), but hit just 12-percent per game as a team.  Albertson holds a 14-4 all-time lead in the series and has not lost to the ‘Birds since the Portland school reinstated volleyball in the late 90s.  Warner (7-17, 2-13) is a dangerous team, despite sitting in eighth-place in the league.  The Knights took the Coyotes to five games in October, but fell for the 12th consecutive time to the Purple and Gold.  Jo’Lene Bogle (3.28 k/g) is the main option for the Knights, which upset Evergreen two weeks ago.

 

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 -