‘Yote Notes – Sept. 7, 2004

Mike Safford Jr. – Sports Info. Director

msafford@collegeofidaho.edu

 

 

 

 

 

COYOTE OPEN: 

The 20th Annual Coyote Open golf tournament to benefit the Coyote Athletic Association and Albertson College Athletics will take place September 24 at River Bend Golf Course.  The shotgun start will take place at 12:30 p.m. with a barbeque and silent auction (which includes a suite to a Idaho Steelheads game and a family season pass to Bogus Basin) to follow after the event.  Players and teams for the five-man scramble are still needed, with cost at $90 per person before September 15, and $110 up until tournament Friday.  The 'Yotes are also actively seeking hole sponsors for $100 - which is tax deductible.  All proceeds go to fund athletic scholarships and provide post-season travel to Coyote teams.  For more information, contact Dave Hahn at (208) 459-5835.

BASEBALL:

GRAND FORKS INVITATIONAL: Multiple members of the Albertson baseball team just wrapped up play in the Grand Forks Invitational baseball tournament in British Columbia.  Representing Caldwell as the Caldwell Coyotes, the squad finished the weekend 1-2, with a victory over Chinese Taipei, 2-1, a 3-0 loss to a club from Charlotte, N.C., and a 5-4 loss to a team from Los Angeles.

PLAYERS IN THE PROS:A trio of former Coyotes were in professional baseball over the summer.  Heading the group was Jason Simontacchi, who spent much of the year with the AAA Memphis Redbirds, where he went 7-4 with a 4.33 ERA.  He also had three stints with the St. Louis Cardinals, amassing 5.14 ERA in 11 appearances without a decision.  Branden Florence has bounced around baseball this year - having been released by the San Francisco Giants at the start of spring training.  Starting the year with the Pennsylvania Road Warriors of the Atlantic League, Florence hit .364 in 16 games, earning a minor league contract from the Baltimore Orioles.  At High-A Frederick in the Carolina League, the former 'Yote hit .317 with 12 homers and 49 RBI - good enough to earn a promotion to AA Bowie, where he is hitting .286 with a homer and four RBI.  Darren Uranga spent the summer with the Kalamazoo Kings in the independent Frontier League.  Uranga was the everyday third baseman for the club, hitting .251 with two homers and 38 RBI, to go along with 11 stolen bases.

VOLLEYBALL: Lady ‘Yotes open home schedule after CCC opening split on the road

 

LAST WEEK: at Boise State (L 3-0); at Evergreen (W 3-0), at Northwest (L 3-0)

 

COMING UP: vs. Concordia, Friday, 7 p.m.; vs. Western Baptist, Saturday, 7 p.m.

 

UP AND DOWN WEEK FOR LADY ‘YOTES: As the volleyball season begins to go into full throttle, the Albertson College ladies had their first full week of action.  It started with a bang, or maybe the right word would be a thud, as Boise State took care of business in three games – showing the gap between NCAA Division I and NAIA sports.  A plane ride to Seattle ensued and along came a three-game victory over Evergreen, a playoff team from a year ago.  It then ended on a sour note, as Northwest came out firing on all cylinders, sweeping the ‘Yotes in three.

 

THE BRONCOS ARE MUCH IMPROVED: Last season, Boise State managed just six wins and took home just one victory in the Western Athletic Conference.  In looking at their performance against the Coyotes last Wednesday, things could be different this year.  The Broncos dismantled the wide-eyed ‘Yotes in just over an hour, 30-17, 30-16, 30-19.  No Coyote player recorded more than five kills, while as a team, Albertson recorded 23 spikes, with 21 attack errors.  It was the first meeting between the clubs since 1995.

 

THE UNKNOWN WIN AT EVERGREEN: To know what happened on Friday night between Albertson and Evergreen in the Cascade Conference opener for both teams was difficult.  Information and statistics were at a trickle coming out of Olympia – but thanks to coach Liz Mendiola, fans found out the Lady ‘Yotes knocked off the Geoducks in three games.  Albertson dominated play in the 30-15, 30-28, 30-18 win, rolling with a season-high .274 hitting percentage.  After watching the videotape to obtain statistics, it was seen that senior Ashlea Thornton (Glendora, Calif. / Cal Baptist) led the way with 11 kills, with libero Kahli Mann (Nampa, Idaho / Skyview HS) recording a match-high 21 digs.

 

MIDDLES DOMINATED PLAY: A key to the victory at Evergreen was the play of the three middles that rotated into the game.  Junior Fran Hartman (Lakeview, Ore. / Lakeview HS) continued her stellar season, recording eight kills and a .389 attack percentage – and a team-high five block assists.  Freshman Katie Hogue (Sparks, Nev. / Reed HS) had nine kills, three total blocks, and a .368 swinging percentage.  The third middle, freshman Anne Parker (Pocatello, Idaho / Century HS), had three kills in seven attempts without an error.

 

NORTHWEST DIGS WAY TO WIN: The weekend finale was a downer for the Lady ‘Yotes, as Northwest used an outstanding defensive performance to take a 30-22, 30-23, 30-25 victory from Albertson.  Dayna Cassaday had a Cascade Conference record for digs in a three-game (rally scoring) match with 27.  Hartman and Hogue again combined for 19 kills in the three games, but as a team, Albertson struggled to a .066 hitting percentage in the loss.  Setter Erin Cherrington (Granby, Colo. / Middle Fork HS) had 29 assists in the match for the Lady ‘Yotes, who had a two-game win streak snapped against the Eagles.

 

MANN A BUMPING MACHINE: It may be early in the season, but the Coyote record book needs to watch out in the digs department.  Libero Kahli Mann currently is on pace (albeit after only seven matches) to break the single-season digs-per-game record.  Mann, who averaged 4.4 digs per game over the weekend (including a 6.1 dig-per-game mark in the two conference counters), is ahead of the pace set by Tara Daniel during the 1997 season.  She has recorded 14-or-more digs in six of the seven matches played this season, including a pair of personal-best 21-dig nights.

 

HARTMAN AMONG THE LEAGUE’S BEST: With a good start to the 2004 season, Fran Hartman finds herself in the top-three in attack percentage in the Cascade Conference.  Hartman, who has converted 68 kills at a .315 swinging clip, ranks third in the loop, behind Emily Marquez of Northwest and Marcie Mitzner of Oregon Tech.

 

WELCOME HOME: Last season, the Albertson volleyball team recorded a 10-4 mark at home – on their way to a regional semifinal appearance.  The ‘Yotes open their 11-match home slate against rival Concordia on Friday night.  The Cavaliers (1-6, 0-0) are not the CCC power they were a few years ago, when they ran off 66-consecutive league wins – but haven’t lost to Albertson in Caldwell since Sept. 27, 1997.  Concordia is led by returners Amanda Larsen (3.3 kills/game) and Melissa Rowe (3.0 k/g), along with libero Erin Blythe (4.3 digs/game).  The Coyotes trail the all-time series 13-17, but ended an 11-match losing streak to the Cavs by defeating them in the CCC postseason tournament in 2003.  Saturday, Western Baptist makes its lone appearance in the Activities Center – in what could be their final trip to Caldwell as WBC, as the institution in overhauling the school’s name and possibly its nickname.  The Warriors (1-3) have struggled with injuries early this season – as middle blockers Kendra Mitchell and Katie Lewin have been sidelined.  Western has seen the brunt of the load picked up by outside hitter Kim Turin, who averages 6.3 kills per game.  Albertson has won five matches in a row over the Warriors, and holds a 16-9 all-time record against the club from Salem, Ore.

 

WE’LL MISS YOU DAN: The Friday night game in the J.A. Albertson Activities Center will be a somber one for the Coyote volleyball team and their fans.  Over the summer, the Lady ‘Yotes public address announcer, Dan Lew, was killed in a car accident by a drunk driver in Nampa.  He will be missed by all.

 

MORE INFORMATION: Updated information and statistics on the 2004 volleyball team can be found on the Albertson volleyball official website at www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/vball.htm.  Up-to-date Cascade Conference standings can be found online at www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/vball/stats/standings.htm.

 

WOMEN’S SOCCER: Road trip continues with Cascade Conference opener at Eastern Oregon

 

LAST WEEK: at Whitman (L 8-0); exhibition at Walla Walla CC (L 5-1)

 

COMING UP: at Eastern Oregon, Saturday, 1 p.m. (PDT)

 

WHITMAN PUTS A HURTING ON LADY ‘YOTES: The first meeting between Albertson and Whitman College since 1999 ended just about the way the first seven meetings did – with Whitman on top.  The Missionaries scored a goal less than one minute into the non-league contest and tacked on seven more tallies, as Whitman knocked off the Lady ‘Yotes, 8-0.  Traveling by bus took something out of the squad, as Albertson managed just five shots against the NCAA Division III club.  Whitman is now 6-0-2 all-time against Albertson.

 

COMMUNITY COLLEGE HANDLES ALBERTSON: Walla Walla Community College, one of the premier two-year soccer institutions in the Northwest, defeated Albertson in a scrimmage on Thursday, 5-1.  No other information was available.  The Coyotes have been able to use matches against WWCC to their advantage – obtaining some key recruits, including 2003 All-American Alyssa Latham, from the school.

 

TOUGH TIMES FOR THE COYOTES: It is tough enough that the Albertson women’s soccer team has just 14 healthy bodies in uniform, but to play five games in eight games took its toll.  Luckily for the ‘Yotes, nine days of practice and rest stand between them and their first Cascade Conference encounter.

 

THE NUMBERS DON’T LIE: Albertson has been outscored 18-1 in their four matches this season, with opponents holding a 3-to-1 advantage in shots (99 for the opponents, 33 for the Coyotes).  The ball has been in the opponents end for the majority of the 360 minutes played this year, as the ‘Yotes have mustered just eight corner kicks to the 33 by their opposition.  Candace Frank (Sandy, Utah / Rocky Mountain College) has tried her best in goal, making 43 saves, but surrendering 4.5 goals per match.

 

REMATCH WITH THE MOUNTIES: Twelve days after losing 2-1 in Nampa, the Coyotes get their rematch with rival Eastern Oregon in La Grande.  The Mountaineers (1-2) trailed 1-0 at the break in the previous game, but peppered the goal with 18 second half shots to earn the victory, their first-ever against Albertson in 12 meetings.  The Lady ‘Yotes have never lost on Eastern’s home field, winning last season 1-0 on an Adria Carley (Emmett, Idaho / Emmett HS)  goal, assisted by Allison Rupert (Boise, Idaho / Capital HS) in the second half.

 

MORE INFORMATION: Updated information and statistics on the 2004 women’s soccer team can be found on Albertson women’s soccer official website at www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/wmenssoccer.htm.  Up-to-date Cascade Conference standings can be found online at www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/wsoccer/stats/standings.htm.

 

CROSS COUNTRY: Coyotes to make their running debut on Saturday at NNU Invitational

 

COMING UP: at Northwest Nazarene Invitational – West Park, Nampa, Women at 9:30 a.m., Men at 10:15 a.m.

 

THEY’RE BACK!: After a 27-year hiatus, the Albertson College men’s cross country team returns to action this Fall, joined by the first women’s cross country team in school history.  In looking back, distance running was never a priority at, then, the College of Idaho – as the school failed to comprise a full team of five men to represent the school at District II meets during the 1970s.  On the flip side, the C of I was a solid track school, with outstanding performances in sprint and throwing events.

 

ABOUT THE COACH: Pat McCurry, a native of Boise and graduate of Bishop Kelly High, is in his first season as head coach.  He has served as the assistant coach at Eastern Oregon University, his alma mater, the past two years, helping the Mountaineer men achieve a No. 1 ranking in the 2003 NAIA preseason poll.  As a head coach, he led North Powder High to a track and field state championship.  He also competes at a high-level post-collegiately, running for the Nike-Portland Track Club, and nearly qualified for the Olympic Trials in July.  “I am excited to get the chance to start the team from the ground up,” said the rookie coach.  “Most coaches do not get the chance to start from scratch, they usually have to rely former coaches’ talent – which is good and bad.”

 

MEN’S TEAM: McCurry is very optimistic about the chances of the men’s team, which is anchored by David Flueckiger (Herisou, Switz. / Va. Commonwealth), who ran previously at the NCAA Division I level.  The ‘Yotes will also be helped by transfer Jacob Haas (Portland, Ore. / Eastern Oregon U.), along with true freshman Jesse Chlebeck (Eagan, Minn. / Eagan HS).  “I believe that by the end of the year, we will be able to compete within the top schools in the NAIA Region I.  David and Jacob have the potential as individuals to qualify for the national meet,” said the coach.

 

WOMEN’S TEAM: The women’s cross country team is not deep (only six runners at the present time), but has a former NAIA Championships runner on the squad.  Shannon Edwards (Sherwood, Ore. / Eastern Oregon U.) was the No. 3 runner on Eastern Oregon’s squad last year and has followed McCurry to Albertson.  She is joined by another transfer, Natalie Hatch (Emmett, Idaho / Willamette U.) to make up the top end of the Coyote line-up.

 

ABOUT CROSS COUNTRY: Cross country is a bit different than most sports – similar to golf, where the lowest score is the best.  Teams compete in races, with the top-five times on a squad counting toward a team score.  The place a runner finishes in the race equals that many points (third-place is three points, 12th is 12 points), with the team with the fewest points (the squad with the highest finishers) winning the team event.

 

THE NNU INVITE: Albertson will be opening the running season on Saturday at the Northwest Nazarene Invitational, at West Park in Nampa.  The Coyotes will be joined by the host Crusaders, along with Lewis-Clark State, Central Washington, Eastern Oregon, Treasure Valley CC, and Mount Hood CC.  The women’s race will be a 4,000-meter event (four kilometers), with the men running 6,000-meters (six kilometers).  The ‘Yotes will have seven men on the starting line, with five women competing in the event.

 

MORE INFORMATION: Updated information on the 2004 cross country team can be found on the Albertson cross country official website at www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/xc.htm. 

 

MEN’S SOCCER: ‘Yotes win two exhibitions, begin season at Westminster Tournament

 

LAST WEEK: exhibition at Treasure Valley CC (W 6-1), exhibition vs. Alumni (W 4-1)

 

COMING UP: at Westminster Tournament, Salt Lake City – vs. Embry-Riddle (Ariz.), Saturday, 1 p.m.; vs. Westminster, Sunday, 2 p.m.

 

COYOTES OFFENSE SOLID AT TVCC: The new-look Albertson men’s soccer team got off to a roaring start on Tuesday in their opening scrimmage against Treasure Valley CC.  Less than a minute into the game, senior Jason Southward (Hailey, Idaho / Wood River HS) scored the first of three goals to lift the ‘Yotes to a 6-1 win.  It was the first time that new head coach Brian Smith had directed the team and it was a success.  “I guess I have the best winning percentage in school history, at least right now,” Smith said jokingly afterward.

 

OLD MEN PUT UP A FIGHT: The annual Albertson Alumni Game has continued to be a nice tune-up for the club in preparation for a season opener.  This year was no different, as 18 former Coyotes donned the Purple and Gold and gave the 2004 bunch a stiff challenge.  True freshman Michael Delgado (Caldwell, Idaho /Vallivue HS) got the youngsters on the board in the 14th-minute of the first half, only to watch as former two-time All-American Jared Larsen found the net late in the period to tie the score at 1-1.  After the proverbial halftime oxygen break, the 2004 bunch scored three quick goals in the second half to take the win.  Mitch White (Boise, Idaho / Gonzaga U.) flicked home a free ball in the box, Joe Chandler (Nampa, Idaho / U. of Utah) converted an Alumni turnover in the offensive end, and freshman Ruben McCrumb (Bonners Ferry, Idaho / Bonners Ferry HS) scored on a long run down the left side.

 

IT IS ALL FOR REAL ON SATURDAY: Albertson will take the field on Saturday to open its 2004 regular season during its annual pilgrimage to Salt Lake City for the Westminster Invitational.  Up first is Embry-Riddle of Prescott, Ariz., an NAIA independent.  The Eagles (0-2) are in their first season as an intercollegiate program – having gone 2-7 in a schedule filled with primarily junior colleges in 2003.  It is the first meeting between the teams.  Rival Westminster hosts the ‘Yotes on Sunday, a team that Albertson needs to defeat to maintain its regional ranking.  Junior Travis Nicolades leads the Griffins (3-1) with three goals in the early going.  Albertson defeated Westminster, 4-3, last season, but trails the all-time series 10-11-2.

 

HISTORY AT THE TOURNAMENT: This will be the ninth consecutive season that Albertson has played in the Salt Lake Tournament – and still looking for a perfect record at the tourney.  The ‘Yotes are 9-15 all-time during the Invite, having won five of their last eight games at the West Jordan Soccer Complex.

 

MORE INFORMATION: Updated information and statistics on the 2004 men’s soccer team can be found on Albertson men’s soccer official website at www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/menssoccer.htm.  Up-to-date Cascade Conference standings can be found online at www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/msoccer/stats/standings.htm.

 

 

- ALBERTSON -