‘Yote Notes –
Sept. 10, 2003
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Mike Safford Jr.
– Sports Info. Director
msafford@albertson.edu
GENERAL
ATHLETICS NEWS:
COYOTE OPEN COMING UP: The annual Coyote Open Golf
Tournament is scheduled for Friday September 26, at River Bend Golf Course in
Wilder. For more information, secure a group in this year's event, or
become a sponsor, contact Dave Hahn at 459-5835.
THINK AHEAD FOR LAS VEGAS?: This year, the Albertson men's
basketball team will be playing two games in Las Vegas on November 7 and
8. Airfare and hotel packages will be available, along with information
regarding the possible basketball reunion in Las Vegas, by calling Dave Hahn in
the athletic marketing office at 459-5835.
BASKETBALL SCHEDULES ABOUT SET: Check out next week's 'Yote Notes
for the first glimpse of the 2003-04 men's and women's basketball schedules,
along with a look at where the Albertson alpine skiers will be competing.
VOLLEYBALL (1-2): Lady
‘Yotes stop Northwest Nazarene in five, host No. 12 Southern Oregon and Oregon
Tech
LAST
WEEK: won Tuesday night at Northwest Nazarene, 3-2.
COMING
UP: vs. No. 12 Southern Oregon, Friday, 7 p.m.;
vs. Oregon Tech, Saturday, 7 p.m.
COYOTES
KNOCK OFF RIVALS: Ten days off to think
about a match – that is what the Albertson volleyballers dealt with before
their Tuesday match at Northwest Nazarene.
The rest and the preparation paid off, as the Coyotes knocked off their
Canyon County rivals in five games to pick up their first win of the
season. It didn’t look pretty early, as
Albertson had more errors than kills in the opening game, but took off from
there. Led by a blistering second game
attack percentage of 50-percent, the Coyotes would win games two and three,
then hang on to take the finale, 15-13.
Four players were in double figures in kills, led by transfer Ashlea Thornton (Glendale, Calif. / Cal Baptist) with 18. Amanda Basañez (Elko, Nev. / College of Southern Idaho) netted 15 kills, with Brittany Bonnett (Logandale,
Nev. / Dixie CC) converting 14 and Kristen Bailey (Fountain Green, Utah / Snow CC) adding 12.
WINS
IN NAMPA DON’T COME OFTEN: To say that it
has been difficult for Albertson to win at Montgomery Fieldhouse is an
understatement. Since game-by-game records
began being kept for the Coyotes during the 1992 season, the spikers had made
14 trips to the ‘Saders den, winning only one time – during the national
tournament season of 2000.
Incidentally, current Coyote senior Amber Igoe (Blackfoot,
Idaho / Firth HS) was a member of that
squad.
EQUAL
OPPORTUNITY: With the advent of the
6-2 system employed by head coach Liz
Mendiola, the setter role has
become a toss-up. Amanda Basañez is
still the primary setter, recording 76 assists through the first three matches. However, when the senior reaches the front
row – Basañez assumes an attacking role, and enter freshman Erin Cherrington (Granby, Colo. / Middle Park HS), who has added 69 assists, to go along with seven
aces and 27 digs.
BALANCED
ATTACK: Fans who head to the
Activities Center this weekend will notice that the Lady ‘Yotes do not have a
go-to hitter, it is an offense by committee.
Ashlea Thornton leads the way with 40 kills, with Amanda Basañez and
Kristen Bailey right behind with 31.
Sophomore Fran
Hartman (Lakeview, Ore. /
Lakeview HS) is in the mix with 20,
along with Brittany Bonnett, who has 15 – still recovering from preseason bumps
and bruises.
REGIONAL POLL
RELEASED: The first NAIA Region I Top-10 poll was released on
Monday, however, only six teams were listed by the coaches. Heading the group was last season’s regional
champ, Southern Oregon, followed by Carroll College and Montana Tech. Rounding out the group was Lewis-Clark
State, Northwest, and Oregon Tech.
NOT AN
EASY START TO THE SEASON: Think the
Coyotes match at NNU was tough, think again.
Staring the ‘Yotes right in the face is the most daunting start to the
Cascade Conference season – meeting the four teams that the coaches’ felt were
the top squads coming into 2003. The
first half of the charade begins this weekend as Southern Oregon and Oregon Tech come to town.
The Raiders (4-2, 2-0 CCC), ranked No. 12 in the latest NAIA poll,
return All-American hitter Kristina Matchett (5.14 kills/g), but are still
breaking a new setter in Jaime McCreary (11.3 a/g). University of Oregon transfer Kristen Ferris (3.10 k/g) has added
a new dimension to the Southern attack.
The Raiders have won the last five meetings in the series and hold a
commanding 31-4 all-time mark, dating back to 1990. Saturday, the Owls (9-3, 2-0) look for their first-ever win in
Caldwell – riding a five-match winning streak.
Hitters Christina Merrill (3.07 k/g) and Anita Stanford (2.69 k/g) led
the Hooters in the spike department, with freshman setter Megan Albertson (6.26
a/g) running the offense. Albertson has
won the past three meetings and holds a 14-4 advantage over OIT.
THE
STREAK IS OVER: For a while, it seemed
as if Concordia would never lose a Cascade Conference volleyball match – until
last week. The streak – 66 matches
long, dating back to 1999 was snapped by Northwest College in a 3-1 victory in
Portland, dropping the preseason No. 16 team in the NAIA out of the polls. Albertson will meet the Cavs and Western
Baptist during their trip to the Willamette Valley next weekend.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
|-----------ATTACK---------|
|---SET---| |-----SERVE----|
## Name GP-MP-MS
K K/Game E TA
Pct A A/Game SA
SA/Gm SE
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 Ashlea
Thornton 13 3-3
40 3.08 21
92 .207 3
0.23 8 0.62
6
13 Kristen Bailey 13 3-3 31
2.38 10 78
.269 0 0.00
0 0.00 0
10 Amanda Basanez 13 3-3 31
2.38 11 74
.270 76 5.85
5 0.38 8
4 Fran
Hartman 13 3-3
20 1.54 12
65 .123 0
0.00 4 0.31
4
2 Tiffany
Sower 9 3-2
18 2.00 8
54 .185 1
0.11 7 0.78
4
11 Brittany Bonnett 11 3-1 15
1.36 5 46
.217 2 0.18
2 0.18 2
12 Kasey Hooter 13 3-2 12
0.92 9 44
.068 3 0.23
0 0.00 0
1 Erin
Cherrington 13 3-1
2 0.15 1 8
.125 69 5.31
7 0.54 7
16 Amber Igoe 13 3-0 0
0.00 0 1
.000 0 0.00
0 0.00 0
5 Kahli
Mann 13 3-0
0 0.00 0
1 .000 0
0.00 9 0.69
1
ALBERTSON........... 13 3-3
169 13.00 77
463 .199 154
11.85 42 3.23
32
Opponents........... 13 3-3
152 11.69 62
423 .213 136
10.46 25 1.92
18
|---DIG---|
|--------BLOCKING---------|
## Name G RE DIG
Dig/G BS BA Total B/Game BE BHE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 Ashlea
Thornton 13 0
21 1.62 1
1 2 0.15 0 1
13 Kristen Bailey 13 1 2
0.15 7 4 11 0.85 6
0
10 Amanda Basanez 13 0 39
3.00 1 1
2 0.15 3
2
4 Fran
Hartman 13 1
3 0.23 2
2 4 0.31 2 0
2 Tiffany
Sower 9 1
11 1.22 0
0 0 0.00 0 0
11 Brittany Bonnett 11 4 23
2.09 1 0
1 0.09 2
0
12 Kasey Hooter 13 0 2
0.15 0 2
2 0.15 0
0
1 Erin
Cherrington 13 0
27 2.08 0
0 0 0.00 0 1
5 Kahli
Mann 13 0
5 0.38 0
0 0 0.00 0 0
16 Amber Igoe 13 14 37
2.85 0 0
0 0.00 0
0
TEAM 4
ALBERTSON........... 13 25
170 13.08 12
10 17.0 1.31
13 4
Opponents........... 13 42
171 13.15 10
47 33.5 2.58
18 4
ON THE INTERNET: For the second consecutive season, Albertson
volleyball games will be available live on the Internet. Junior Jordan Komoto and sophomore Jake McClean
will handle the play-by-play of all home Lady ‘Yote games by logging onto www.collegeofidaho.edu/webcam/Athletics.asx.
MORE INFORMATION ON THE LADY
‘YOTES: For game stories, statistics,
and information regarding the Albertson volleyball program, head to the
official site of 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.
MEN’S SOCCER (0-0): Coyotes head to Salt Lake
City to open up the 2003 season
COMING
UP: at Westminster Invitational, Salt Lake City, Utah
– vs. Point Loma Nazarene, Thursday, 2 p.m.; vs. Bellevue, Friday, 2 p.m.; vs.
Westminster, Saturday, 2:30 p.m.
OFF TO THE PITCH WE GO: The Albertson men’s soccer team will be the final
Cascade Conference squad to open up the 2003 season when the ‘Yotes head to
Salt Lake City this weekend for their annual pilgrimage to the Westminster
Invitational. Year in and year out,
this three-day tournament gives the squad a great opportunity to improve on its
team building and skill level – against top-notch programs. Albertson has proven itself to be in that
top-notch category – having won 13 or more matches in each of the last four
seasons, along with four consecutive regional tournament berths.
CALPIN NEARING 200: Entering his 18th year at the helm of
the Coyotes, head coach John Calpin has begun to quick climb the ladder
as one of the top coaches in the history of the NAIA. Only 14 coaches have won 200-or-more games in their careers, with
the dean of all current Albertson coaches hot in their pursuit. Calpin has won 174 men’s and 14 women’s
games while at the institution, giving him a shot for the 200 plateau. “Being that I am close to 200 means that I
have been here a long time,” said the native of York. “We couldn’t have won all of the dozens of games without all of
the student-athletes – myself knowing that the game is about the players and
not me.”
TWO BIG HOLES TO FILL: The 2003 squad has to replace a pair of former
All-Americans in Jake Steele and Coe Michaelson. Steele, a three-time All-American, played
every minute of every game over the last four seasons in goal. He holds school records for shutouts, games
played, minutes played, and goals against average – while ranking eighth in
NAIA history with 28 shutouts.
Michaelson was a four-time All-Cascade Conference striker, who holds the
school record for assists – along with being the first Verizon/CoSIDA
First-Team Academic All-American.
SOLID UP FRONT: Despite missing the leadership of Michaelson up
front, the Coyotes return two-time All-CCC selection Jason Southward (Hailey,
Idaho / Wood River HS) to the mix.
The 6-5 junior scored 14 goals in just 14 games last season, along with
becoming the second Albertson men’s soccer player to earn NAIA
Player-of-the-Week honors. Joining “Big
Jay” up front is Joe Chandler (Nampa, Idaho / University of Utah),
who is returning to the Coyotes after a layoff. “Jason is a proven goal scorer and learned from his experiences
last season,” said Calpin. “With Joe’s
speed and Jason’s toughness, they should complement each other well.”
THE DISTRIBUTORS: Not only distributors this season, but the
Albertson core group of midfielders will be asked to put the ball in the net as
well. Leading the deep group include
All-CCC picks Roger Aguilar (Payette, Idaho / Payette HS) and Ryan
Abo (Boise, Idaho / Timberline HS).
Aguilar had a balanced 2002, scoring eight goals and assisting on nine
others, while Abo, who missed the second-half of the season with a knee injury,
hopes to return to his ten assist form as a freshman. Joining the duo are juniors John
Reinschmidt (Mountain Home, Idaho / Mountain Home HS) and Dustin
Crim (Boise, Idaho / Borah HS), sophomore Tyler Seaman (Boise,
Idaho / Centennial HS), and redshirt frosh Andrew Heisler (Boise,
Idaho / Borah HS). That grouping
combined for five goals and ten assists last year. “All of these young men are very tough on the ball, along with
having good speed and passing ability.
Don’t forget – they also know how to shoot for goal,” replied the
veteran coach.
ALL-AMERICAN ANCHOR: It’s nice to have the anchor of the defense back
– especially when he is an All-American.
Drake Jakovac (Boise, Idaho / Timberline HS), who
terrorized opponents attacks last season, returns for his junior year – ready
to try and win every ball that comes his way.
Along with Jakovac, Calpin has five others to jockey for the remaining
spots. In the mix are senior Brad
Thornburg (Yreka, Calif. / Yreka HS), junior Brad Brooks (Meridian,
Idaho / Meridian HS), and sophomores John Mitchell (Boise, Idaho /
Boise State), Skiff Larson (Boise, Idaho / Centennial HS),
and Shane Carmody (Boise, Idaho / Timberline HS). “We have a real solid defensive core – they
came into training fit and are eager to play,” said Calpin.
YOUNG NET-MINDERS: The big question-mark for the Coyotes will be in
goal – where there has not been a question for four seasons. Sophomore Ryan Huber (Eagle, Idaho
/ Eagle HS) was the back-up last year, but saw action as a field player and
not in goal. Freshman Patrick Lyon (Bonners
Ferry, Idaho / Bonners Ferry HS) is
a very agile keeper with good reactions.
Heading into the season opener – the race is still neck-and-neck. “We have not named a starter,” said
Calpin.” Both played well in our
intra-squad game – they will continue to compete for the spot up until kickoff
on Thursday.”
PARITY IN THE CONFERENCE: The 2003 Cascade Conference has no clear favorite
in men’s soccer. Although defending
champion and regional runner-up Concordia one the preseason coaches’ poll, the
Cavaliers (2-4) have opened up the new year with a bit of a struggle. Same can be said of Western Baptist (2-2-1),
who returns the two-time Player-of-the-Year in Patrick Daka. Lumped into that group this year is
Evergreen (2-2), who has added a solid offensive attack to an already potent
defensive squad. Warner Pacific (1-3),
Cascade (0-1), and Northwest (0-2) are no push-overs, making the 12-game league
slate a toughie. “I believe the 2003 Cascade
Conference season will have as much parity as the league has ever had. Any team can be another on any given day,”
said Calpin.
REGIONAL POLL: The first NAIA Region I poll reflects the flare
of how wide-open the race truly is.
Independents Simon Fraser (3-0) and Westminster (4-3) sit No. 1 and No.
3 in the rankings, with Concordia, Western, and Evergreen rounding out the
slots. Omitted from the rankings were
the Coyotes – most likely from the fact of having not played a game – but it
will also give the team some incentive.
ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: Three solid opponents await the ‘Yotes on the
Wasatch Front. Up first is Point
Loma Nazarene from the solid Golden State Athletic Conference. The Sea Lions (1-2-1) only win of the season
was a big one, a 2-0 shutout of NCAA Division I San Diego State. It is the third meeting between the teams,
the first since 1999, with each team owning a victory. Friday it’s Bellevue of Nebraska in a
meeting of purple and gold schools. The
Bruins (2-1-1) return the MCAC Player-of-the-Year in David Oluyole and knocked off
Albertson in the only meeting between the schools in 2000. To round out the tournament, the ‘Yotes meet
host Westminster in a key Region I match-up. The Griffins (4-3), who play nearly their entire schedule before
September comes to a close, have already played two games against CCC teams –
losing to Concordia and defeating Evergreen – by 2-1 overtime margins.
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 SOCCER (1-1): After
week off, Lady ‘Yotes to open Cascade Conference slate against Eastern Oregon
LAST WEEK: Idle
COMING UP: vs. Eastern Oregon, Sept. 13, 1 p.m.
A WEEK TO RECOVER: After a pair of games over the Labor Day weekend,
the Albertsoon women’s soccer team took a week off from competition – allowing
student-athletes to become acclimated with their classes in preparation for the
long road ahead. Following this
weekend, the Coyotes will have four consecutive weekends with at least two
games – including eight of the 11 Cascade Conference tilts.
LOOKING BACK TO LAST YEAR: It was around this time last year when the Lady
‘Yotes made their move – a school-record tying five-game win streak. They will have the same opportunity this
season, considering the next five matches will take place on the Symms Field
pitch.
AROUND THE CONFERENCE: Highs and lows have taken place around the league
during the past week. The highs would
include the Concordia club, who remained at No. 4 in this week’s NAIA
national poll. The Cavs surprisingly
did not rise in the poll, despite playing No. 2 ranked Azusa Pacific to a
scoreless draw. Western Baptist
ran into a wall against tough opponents – losing to No. 9 Simon Fraser, along
with NCAA Division III power, Willamette.
Strange doings in the south, as Southern Oregon, who beat Mills
College, 13-0, lost back-to-back matches to Holy Names and Dominican. On the flip side, Oregon Tech ran its
win streak to three, by tackling Mills (6-0), HNC (4-3), and Simpson
(6-0). Evergreen went the
Division II route – losing matches to Seattle and Central Washington. Three winless teams remain in the loop – Eastern
Oregon in the North, and Cascade and Warner Pacific in the
South. Warner’s woes come from a tough
schedule (Concordia, Puget Sound, Whitman) – and the fact they have not found
the back of the net this season.
Eastern completed a three-game road swing, losing a combined 20-1, while
rebuilding Cascade has been outscored 17-0 by its two opponents.
REGIONAL RANKINGS: The first regional poll was selected by the
coaches of the 12 women’s soccer programs in the NAIA Region I - 1. Concordia,
2. Simon Fraser, 3. Western Baptist, 4. Evergreen, 5. Carroll (Mont.).
ABOUT EASTERN: The Mountaineers (0-5) have not had the same
success that fellow young programs (Warner Pacific, Southern Oregon, Oregon
Tech) have had. However, to say that
Eastern has not improved would be incorrect.
Three-year starter Tonilynn Reardon is an anchor at the midfield, while
true freshman Cydney Topping (2 goals) gives the Mounties some scoring
punch. Albertson holds a 8-0-1 record against
the La Grande, Ore. school, but Eastern recorded a 1-1 draw at Symms Field in
2001.
MORE INFORMATION ON THE LADY ‘YOTES: For game stories, statistics, and information
regarding the Albertson women’s soccer program, head to the official site of
Lady ‘Yote soccer: www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/wmensoccer.htm. Each night, scores and updated standings are
posted on the Conference Standings page within the Albertson women’s soccer
website at www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/wsoccer/stats/standings.htm.
- ALBERTSON -