‘Yote Notes – Oct. 10, 2006

Mike Safford Jr. – Sports Info. Director

msafford@collegeofidaho.edu

ATHLETIC NEWS: Season Tickets, ACI-NNU Tickets on Sale

SEASON TICKETS ON SALE: With basketball season quickly approaching, it marks the time for ACI hoop season tickets to go on sale. For all current ACI basketball season ticket holders, information was mailed out on Monday. For more information on ticket prices and availability, go to http://www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/caa/tickets.htm, or contact Dave Hahn at 459-5835.

TICKETS ON SALE FOR ACI-NNU GAME ON NOVEMBER 2: The ACI men’s basketball team opens up the season on November 2 at the Idaho Center in the United Heritage TipOff against Northwest Nazarene. Tickets are on sale in the ACI athletic development office in Sterry Hall – with ticket prices ranging from $2.00 to $20.00. For more information, contact Dave Hahn at 459-5835.

VOLLEYBALL (17-2, 11-0 CCC): Coyotes take two-game lead in CCC into road swing through Willamette Valley

COMING UP: vs. Dixie State, Tuesday, 7 p.m.; at Corban, Friday, 7 p.m. (PDT); at Concordia, Saturday, 7 p.m. (PDT)

LAST WEEK: vs. Oregon Tech (W 3-0); vs. No. 28 Southern Oregon (W 3-0)

COMMAND OF THE CASCADE CONFERENCE RACE: With victories over the weekend against the No. 2 and No. 3 teams in the Cascade Conference, the ACI volleyball team has a firm grip on the top-spot in the league standings with four weeks left in the regular season. The Coyotes hold a two-game lead on second-place Southern Oregon and a three-game lead on third-place Oregon Tech – holding all tiebreakers with the two teams due to home-and-home sweeps by the Yotes. The winner of the CCC regular season title earns the right to host the CCC postseason tournament, to be held Nov. 10-11, and the right to host the NAIA Region I tournament, to be held Nov. 16-18. ACI has never won a regular-season CCC title since the league went to the current round-robin format in 1988.

STREAKS GALORE FOR THE YOTES: Impressive numbers dot the landscape of the 2006 volleyball season for ACI, as the Lady Yotes have multiple streaks still alive. The squad has dropped their first game in CCC play at Southern Oregon on Sept. 8, and have now won their past 27 in a row (won 33-of-34 games played in league play this year). ACI has won 14-consecutive matches at home, dating back to last season, and has won 29-consecutive matches against teams not ranked in the NAIA poll (or others’ receiving votes).

NATIONAL RANKING: The Yotes were ranked No. 11 in the fifth NAIA volleyball poll of the regular-season, released last Wednesday by the national office in Olathe, Kan. The Yotes remained at No. 11 for the second-straight week, equaling the highest ranking in program history. Six others – No. 1 National American (S.D.), No. 6 Columbia (Mo.), No. 12 Cedarville (Ohio), No. 18 Lindenwood (Mo.), No. 23 Westminster (Utah), and Southern Oregon, were among the ACI opponents this season in the Top-25 and others receiving votes. 

PREVIOUS RANKINGS: The Coyotes have been ranked in the Top-25 on 11 occasions in program history – the second (No. 24) and third (No. 19) polls of the 1997 season, the preseason (No. 15) and first poll (No. 19) of the 2001 season, the final poll during the 2005 season (No. 24), the 2006 preseason poll (No. 16), and the past five rankings.

YOTES MAINTAIN PERCH ATOP REGIONAL RANKINGS: With a perfect 11-0 start to the Cascade Conference season and a 17-2 overall record, the Yotes remain atop the NAIA Region I weekly Top-10 poll. ACI is followed by Westminster, Southern Oregon, Great Falls, and Rocky Mountain. Rounding out the top-ten are Carroll, Oregon Tech, Northwest, Montana Tech, and Concordia. The regional poll is released each Monday, with the NAIA poll released each Wednesday afternoon.

MENDIOLA ADDS TO HER WINS RECORD: With the Lady Yotes victory over Cedarville (Ohio) on Sept. 23, ACI volleyball coach Liz Mendiola became the all-time winningest volleyball coach in program history. While at ACI, Mendiola has posted a 118-54 record (.686 win percentage) - six-straight Cascade Conference tournament appearances, three NAIA Region I tournament appearances, along with a trip to the 2005 NAIA Championships.

HOME SWEET HOME: Under Mendiola, the Lady Yotes are 55-12 in the J.A. Albertson Activities Center, an .821 winning percentage. They are even better in CCC play, holding a 43-8 mark (.843 percent) since the 2001 season.

BEST START EVER: The 17-2 start by the Lady Yotes is the best in program history, dating back to the 1982 season. In recent years, the 1997 and 2005 teams opened the season with 7-3 marks (best ten-game mark), while the 2005 squad opened with a 12-3 record (best 15-game mark). The best 20-game start to a season was 16-4, set last year. ACI is also a perfect 6-0 on the road this year (not including neutral court matches).

YOTES PUMMEL OREGON TECH: Katie Hogue (Sparks, Nev. / Reed HS) had 12 kills, seven blocks, and three aces to lead ACI to a surprisingly easy 30-16, 30-14, 30-21 victory over Oregon Tech Friday night at the J.A. Albertson Activities Center. The win for the Lady Yotes was their 29th win in a row against an unranked opponent as ACI completed the season sweep of the Owls.  They also extended their home court win streak to 13 in a row - three off a school record. An Erin Cherrington (Granby, Colo. / Middle Park HS) ace, one of 13 by the Yotes tonight, gave ACI a 12-4 edge in Game 1 and were never threatened.  A pair of Krista Wooley kills helped OIT to a 4-2 edge in Game 2, but the Yotes used an eleven point run midway through the set to get the win - as Tech recorded 11 of their 22 hitting errors in the frame.  Game 3 saw OIT pull to within 20-17 on an Anne Parker (Pocatello, Idaho / Century HS) hitting error, but the Coyotes ran off eight-straight points, including two aces from Tiffany Sower (Eagle, Idaho / Eagle HS) to win the match. Cherrington had 42 assists and nine digs in the win, with libero Catherine Everist (Portland, Ore. / Chicago State U.) leading all players with 21 digs. 

ACI COMPLETES SWEEP OF SOUTHERN OREGON: Freshman Kristin Henning (Boise, Idaho / Boise HS) led four ACI hitters in double-figures with a career-high 13 kills, as the No. 11 Coyotes defeated No. 28 ranked Southern Oregon, 31-29, 30-21, 30-24 in a face-paced Cascade Conference match-up Saturday night. Southern, which has won 11-straight matches outside of the two losses to ACI, served for Game 1 after an attack error by Kathryn Ely (La Grande, Ore. / La Grande HS).  But the Yotes responded, getting kills by Henning and Ely after long rallies, and a tandem block to take the opener.  ACI jumped out to a 14-6 edge in Game 2 and coasted, then battled back from an 18-15 deficit in Game 3 - using a seven-point push, including a pair of Tiffany Sower aces. Katie Zillner (Emmett, Idaho / Emmett HS) and Ely each had 12 kills for the Coyotes, who hold a full two-game lead over SOU in the conference standings.  Erin Cherrington recorded her eighth double-double of the year with 45 assists and 14 digs, with Catherine Everist leading all players with 24 digs. 

IT’S NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE: With the win over Southern Oregon, the Lady Yotes completed their first-ever season sweep of the Raiders. Even more impressive is the fact that ACI has won four matches in a row over Southern, having gone 9-51 in their previous 60 matches with their rivals from Ashland.

DOMINATING THE LEAGUE NUMBERS: As a team, the Yotes dominate the Cascade Conference statistics, leading the loop in hitting percentage (.250), assists per game (14.56), kills per game (15.45), blocks per game (3.12), and aces per game (2.36). Individually, Katie Hogue leads the league in both hitting percentage (.393) and blocks per game (1.57), while ranking fifth in aces per game (0.49) and sixth in kills per game (3.39). Erin Cherrington leads the league in assists per game (13.36) and is seventh in aces per game (0.48), while Kristin Henning is third in both blocks per game (1.23) and hitting percentage (.322). Anne Parker is fifth in blocks per game (1.04) and hitting percentage (.257), with Kathryn Ely ranking fifth in kills per game (3.58) and sixth in hitting percentage (.254). Rounding out the group is Catherine Everist, who is No. 3 in digs per game (6.22).

YOTES LEAD NAIA IN ASSISTS, CHERRINGTON LEADS ALL NAIA PLAYERS: As a team, ACI leads the entire NAIA in assists per game – while ranking No. 4 in kills per game, No. 7 in blocks per game and No. 12 in hitting percentage. Erin Cherrington continues to lead the nation in assists per game, while Katie Hogue ranks No. 7 in the NAIA in blocks per game and is No. 10 in hitting percentage.

RECORD BOOK: As the season progresses, it is inevitable that the ACI record books will be rewritten. Currently, four players are already among the all-time top-ten. Katie Hogue ranks No. 4 all-time with 352 blocks (3 behind third-place),No. 7 with 827 kills, and No. 9 with 100 aces. Erin Cherrington is third all-time with 4,406 assists (148 from first-place), and with 169 aces, and is No. 9 with 976 digs (24 from 1,000 in her career), and in games played (399). Also on the list are Tiffany Sower, who is fifth all-time with 124 aces, and Anne Parker, who is eighth in blocks with 242.

FIRST OF THREE MIDWEEK NON-LEAGUE HOME MATCHES: Three of the next four weeks, the Lady Yotes will play a home game against a non-conference foe. Tuesday, they host Dixie State, as the Rebels (11-7) make their first-ever visit to Caldwell. Dixie, a first-year NCAA Division II school – making the jump from the junior college ranks, dropped a three-game match to the Yotes in August. They have some impressive wins on their ledger, including victories over nationally-ranked Olivet Nazarene and regionally-ranked Great Falls. Leading the Rebel charge is Cidney Judkins (4.15 k/g, 3.41 d/g) and Breena Bonnett (3.30 k/g, 3.11 d/g) – the sister of former Yote All-American Brittney Bonnett.

OFF TO THE VALLEY: The Lady Yotes will be making their first of two treks to the Willamette Valley this weekend, putting their 6-0 record on the road on the line. Up first is Corban College in Salem, as ACI will meet the resurgent Warriors (6-12, 3-8 CCC). Corban has won four of their last five matches – with the lone loss coming in four games at Northwest. CCC Libero of the Year candidate Becky Horn (7.2 d/g) leads a very good defensive team, while do-everything Jessica McGraw (2.0 k/g, 5.4 a/g, 3.5 d/g), who has four triple-doubles this year, is as good of an all-around player the CCC has to offer. ACI defeated Corban 30-17, 30-17, 30-19 in September and holds a 20-10 all-time series edge. Saturday, its off to Concordia University in Portland to meet the Cavaliers (7-10, 6-5). CU had a three-game win streak halted on Saturday night at Northwest, but has one of the more potent hitters in the loop in Erin Murphy (3.8 k/g, 0.9 b/g). ACI has won six matches in a row over the Cavs, including a 30-25, 30-23, 30-23 win in September, extending the all-time series lead to 28-20.

MORE INFORMATION: Updated information and statistics on the 2006 volleyball team can be found on ACI 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.

MEN’S SOCCER (6-5-1, 4-2 CCC): Yotes complete important home sweep, head to Seattle for two crucial road games

COMING UP: at Northwest, Friday, 6 p.m. (Starfire Complex); at Evergreen State, Saturday, 3 p.m.

LAST WEEK: vs. Concordia (W 1-0); vs. Cascade (W 1-0)

REGIONAL RANKINGS: The sixth NAIA Region I weekly top-five poll of the season saw the Yotes make a big jump, from out of the poll to the No. 2 slot, on the strength of wins over Concordia and Cascade. Concordia remained at No. 1 on the strength of their solid play throughout the season, followed by ACI. Rounding out the top-five were Westminster, which ended a six-game losing streak with a win at winless Colorado Christian, Warner Pacific, which has won three-straight, and Corban. Northwest, Evergreen State, and Cascade all dropped out of the poll, with Simon Fraser, which began the season in the NAIA Top-25, remaining out of the rankings for a third-straight week.

THE LAST TIME: The last time the ACI men’s soccer team was ranked as high as No. 2 in the Region I poll was Oct. 4, 2004. The Yotes have been ranked in the NAIA poll on five different occasions – finishing the 2000 season No. 25, finishing the 2001 season at No. 23, earning a No. 16 ranking in the 2002 preseason poll, a No. 15 ranking in the first poll of the 2002 season, with their last time in the poll on Oct. 9, 2002 – at No. 24.

CONFERENCE RACE UP FOR GRABS: At the midway point of the 2006 Cascade Conference season, any of the seven teams in the loop are still alive for the postseason. Concordia, Warner Pacific, and ACI all sit atop the league standings – each with two losses, with Corban nipping at their heals. The top-two teams during regular-season competition earn an automatic berth to the NAIA Region I tournament in November, with the final two spots determined via Longo ratings among the other five CCC teams and independents Simon Fraser and Westminster.

EARLY GOAL ENOUGH TO BEAT CONCORDIA: A Mitch White (Boise, Idaho / Gonzaga U.) goal in the eighth minute was all the Yotes needed, as a stellar defensive effort helped the Coyotes to a 1-0 Homecoming victory over Concordia at Symms Field on Friday afternoon. The victory helped pull ACI back to the .500 mark for the first time this season and within a half-game of the first-place Cavaliers. A defensive mistake at midfield allowed Kazuki Murata (Tokyo, Japan / Ichiritu HS) to slot a ball into the Coyote zone, where Brandon Eddy (Sandpoint, Idaho / Sandpoint HS) was able to avoid CU keeper Garrett Staples.  He flicked a one-time pass to White at the top of the six-yard box, who touched the ball into the empty net. The Yotes would have three other good opportunities on the afternoon - two balls cleared off the end line by the Cavaliers backs, and a stellar save by Staples midway through the second half on a White drive from 25.

DEFENSE THE STORY: What kept Concordia at bay was a tenacious defensive effort by the Yotes back four. Led by sweeper Scott Fuller (Boise, Idaho / Cal State-Fullerton)and defenders Stephen Reinschmidt (Mountain Home, Idaho / Mountain Home HS), Brandon Koomler (Boise, Idaho / Bishop Kelly HS), and Derek Erstad (Boise, Idaho / Timberline HS), ACI locked down the Cavaliers – who managed just two shots on goal – and just one during the final 89 minutes of the match. “This was possibly the most complete game we have played in my three years as coach,” said Brian Smith. “We played tough-nosed, organized soccer from back to front for 90 minutes.”

ONE ENOUGH VS. CASCADE: Alex Penrod (Las Vegas, Nev. / Cimarron-Memorial HS) headed home a deflection off a corner kick five minutes into the second half, as the Coyotes moved into a tie for first-place in the Cascade Conference with a 1-0 victory over Cascade College on Sunday. Mitch White lofted a cross over the goal mouth, where Stephen Reinschmidt headed the ball over keeper Nic Martinez to the waiting Penrod, who knocked home the only tally of the game. With the win, the Coyotes (6-5-1, 4-2) move above the .500 mark for the first time this season and join Concordia and Warner Pacific atop the loop standings.  "It doesn't matter whether you win 1-0 or 10-0, the outcome is what counts and we got it done today," said head coach Brian Smith.

“BIG JAY” UP TO THE TASK: Another key to the weekend sweep was the play of keeper Jay Gentle (Boise, Idaho / Walla Walla CC), who notched the shutouts in both games. The junior made a huge save in a 1-on-1 situation just 30 seconds into the Concordia game, then made a diving one-handed save of a game-tying attempt against Cascade with just 15 minutes remaining. The 6-4, 225 pounder currently leads the Cascade Conference in goals against average (0.69), while recording a perfect 4-0 during his four starts this season.

CASCADE CONFERENCE NUMBERS: As a team, the Yotes lead the CCC in total shots (219), while recording the fewest yellow cards in the league. Individually, Mitch White leads the league in total shots (64), shots per game (5.3), points (20), and goals scored (9), ranking third in both points per game (1.7) and goals per game (0.8). Also among the leaders is Alex Penrod, who is sixth in the CCC in assists (3) and is tenth in total shots (26), with Kazuki Murata sitting in sixth in total assists (3).

OFF TO WASHINGTON ON A MISSION: This weekend, the Coyotes head out on an important road swing through Washington, trying to hang onto their first-place spot in the CCC. Up first is a rematch with Northwest, a team ACI needed three second half goals to knock off three weeks ago. The Eagles (5-5-1, 2-3-1 CCC) have fallen on hard times since their 5-2 loss at ACI, winning just one match in their last five, including a 1-1 draw with Corban on Saturday night. Northwest is led by Amos Freiheit (5 goals, 1 assist) and John Buttle (3 goals, 2 assists) – part of an attack that has amassed a 3-1-1 record at home. The Coyotes would like to preserve a 14 match win streak against the Eagles, holding a commanding 21-2 all-time series edge. Saturday, the Yotes look to win at Evergreen State for the first time since the 2003 season. The Geoducks (3-7-1, 2-4) have lost three matches in a row, scoring just two goals in the losses. Matt Curry (3 goals, 1 assists) leads the team in scoring – including an assist in the 2-0 victory over ACI in Caldwell. Evergreen, which has a 2-4-1 record at home, looks to sweep the season series from the Yotes for the first time. ACI holds a 12-5-1 all-time series edge with the Olympia, Wash. school.

GAME TIME CHANGE: The Yotes game at Concordia on October 28 has been moved from its original 1 p.m. kickoff to a 2 p.m. starting time. The change was necessitated by the possibility of the Concordia women’s soccer team hosting the CCC tournament title game.

MORE INFORMATION: Updated information and statistics on the 2006 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.

CROSS COUNTRY: Yote men poised to re-enter Top-25 after win at Eastern Oregon

COMING UP: at Lewis-Clark State Invitational, Lewiston - October 21

LAST WEEK: at Eastern Oregon Open / NAIA Region I Preview Meet (Men - 1st Place, Women - 5th Place)

COYOTE MEN MAKE STATEMENT IN LA GRANDE: Receiving outstanding races from their top five runners, the Albertson College of Idaho men's cross country team took claim to their third overall meet championship in the three-year history of the modern program - knocking off five other teams, including No. 13 ranked Concordia, to win the Eastern Oregon Open in La Grande.  Junior Tyler Hopper (Caldwell, Idaho / Caldwell HS) was the top non-unattached runner in the field, placing second, despite seeing his time slowed a bit by an official who sent him and two other runners the wrong direction on the course early in the race.  Right behind Hopper was fellow junior Jesse Chlebeck (Eagan, Minn. / Eagan HS), who placed fourth.  In fact each of the top five runners for the Yotes placed in the overall Top-20. 

FROM THE COACH: "I was really pleased at how we raced," said head coach Pat McCurry, following the race on the same course the NAIA Regional will be run in November.  "I truly think that the men's Cascade Conference and the NAIA Region I championships are up for grabs - there is no clear-cut favorite.  Between LC-State, Concordia, Southern, UBC, Simon Fraser, and us, we all have a legitimate chance at winning the title."

WOMEN IMPROVE, NEARLY TOP NNU: Paced by a solid finish from freshman Molli Lee-Painter (Moscow, Idaho / Moscow HS), the ACI women finished fifth out of six teams at the meet - nearly topping Northwest Nazarene for the first time.  Lee-Painter finished ninth, one of four Coyotes to place in the Top-25.  Chantel Varland (Meridian, Idaho / Mountain View HS) recorded a 17th-place finish, and Genny Gerke (Boise, Idaho / Bishop Kelly HS) finished 20th.  The Yotes were just two points behind NNU - and ran without their normal No. 3 runner, freshman Stephanie Sparks (West Jordan, Utah / Juan Diego Catholic HS).

SHOULD RE-ENTER THE TOP-25: After dropping out of the Top-25 for the first time since the 2004 season, the ACI men's team should find themselves in the mix after their win at EOU.  Last week, the Coyotes received 13 votes in the poll, remaining in the Others Receiving Votes category - the 12th-straight week ACI was listed in the rankings.  Last week, Lewis-Clark Statewas the highest-ranked NAIA Region I team, sitting in the No. 8 spot.  They were followed by No. 11 Concordia, No. 17 Simon Fraser, and No. 22 Southern Oregon, while British Columbia joins ACI in the ORV category.  The Yotes have defeated both LC-State and Concordia at meets this year.

A WEEK OF TRAINING: The Yotes will take a week off from competition, working on training for their next meet, next Saturday in Lewiston at the Lewis-Clark State Invitational.  It will be the final tune-up before the CCC/NAIA Region I Championships in November.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: For more information on the ACI cross country team, including runner profiles and top times, head to the official website of the Yotes, www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/xc.htm.

WOMEN’S SOCCER (6-7-1, 4-1-1 CCC): Lady Yotes on brink of first playoff appearance since 2002

COMING UP: vs. No. 5 Concordia, Friday, 3 p.m.; vs. Cascade, Saturday, 1 p.m.

LAST WEEK: vs. Great Falls (W 1-0 OT); vs. No. 8 Carroll (L 3-0)

NAIA REGION I WEEKLY POLL: With a 6-7-1 overall record, the Lady Yotes were just outside the NAIA Region I weekly top-five poll for the third consecutive week. Leading the way was Concordia, followed by Carroll, and Rocky Mountain – which moved ahead of Simon Fraser in the poll after a 1-0 victory on Sunday. Eastern Oregon, which upset Carroll on Saturday, sits in the No. 5 spot. In the national poll, Concordia is ranked fifth, Carroll eighth, and SFU No. 14. The NAIA releases the regional poll every Monday, with the national poll released on Wednesday afternoon.

IT LOOKS BETTER FROM THE TOP: With just two weeks remaining in the Cascade Conference season, the Lady Yotes continue to be among the upper-echelon teams in the loop, sitting alone in third-place in the ten-team standings. What is amazing is that the six wins by the Coyotes this season have already tied or surpassed the win total for 14 of the previous 17 years of competition.

NEW PLAYOFF SCENARIO: With the Cascade Conference eliminating divisions and double round-robin play, a new playoff format will also debut this season. The top-six teams during the nine-game conference schedule will qualify for the CCC Tournament – with the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds earning quarterfinal byes. The regular-season champion, along with the CCC Tournament champion will receive automatic bids to the NAIA Region I Tournament.

ON THE CUSP OF THE PLAYOFFS: ACI can clinch a berth in the CCC postseason tournament with a victory this weekend or a loss by both Oregon Tech and Southern Oregon. It would mark the first trip for the Lady Yotes to the playoffs since 2002 and just the fourth postseason berth in school history. The 1991 and 1993 teams advanced to the semifinals of the District 2 tournament, while the 2002 team lost in the semifinals of the CCC tournament. The Lady Yotes have never hosted, nor have ever won a postseason contest in women’s soccer.

YOTES BREAK THROUGH WITH OVERTIME WIN: Junior Jennifer Phillips (Ontario, Ore. / Ontario HS) beat Great Falls keeper Lindsey Saunders on a 1-on-1 attack five minutes into overtime, as the Lady Yotes moved to .500 on the season with a 1-0 victory Saturday afternoon at a windy Symms Field. The Argonauts had a chance two minutes into overtime, as Kirstin Thompson got a flick on goal after an ACI defensive lapse, but Yote keeper Sadie Hughes (Courtenay, B.C. / GP Vanier SS) made the save.  Three minutes later, Mandy Greif (Payette, Idaho / Payette HS) won a free ball at midfield and chipped a cross over the UGF defense to the waiting Phillips, who went uncontested into the box, slotting home a shot into the left corner of the net for the win.

ACI dominated play on the afternoon, holding a 24-6 edge in shots and a 7-0 edge in corner kicks, but Saunders kept the Coyotes at bay, making nine saves.

TROUBLE IN OVERTIME ENDED: Prior to Saturday’s win, ACI had a 0-2-1 record in overtime games this season. It was the Lady Yotes first overtime victory in nearly five seasons, the last time coming on Oct. 2, 2002 - a 4-3 victory over Northwest Nazarene at Symms Field.

NO. 8 CARROLL TOO MUCH FOR LADY YOTES: Despite an outstanding defensive effort, No. 8 ranked Carroll College proved to be too much for the Albertson College women's soccer team, defeating the Lady Yotes, 3-0, at Symms Field, on Sunday afternoon. The Saints needed almost all of the first half to figure out the Yotes, finally breaking through in the 37th minute on an unassisted goal by Boise native Katie Joseph from 25-yards out. ACI had a chance to tie the score early in the second half as Leah Roach (Boise, Idaho / Timberline HS) made a nice run on a breakaway, but keeper Nikki Skaggs was up to the challenge for Carroll.  The Saints would add a pair of scores in the period to put the game away - a Hannah Young header off a Jenni Annicchiarico cross in the 57th minute, and a Valerie Feltz blast off a Maggie Best corner in the 76th minute.

SENIOR DAY: This weekend marks the final regular-season home games for a pair of Lady Yote soccer players – both of whom have competed for four years in the Purple and Gold. Ali Jakubowski (Caldwell, Idaho / Caldwell HS) has played in 33 career games at ACI, but has struggled with the injury bug her entire career – forcing her to miss the entire 2004 season. Also playing in her final game is Allison Rupert (Boise, Idaho / Capital HS), who has been a mainstay in the Yotes line-up throughout her career. The senior has played in 57 career games, tallying four goals and nine assists. What is even more impressive is that the Lady Yotes will return 22 players, including nine starters, for the 2007 campaign.

PORTLAND SCHOOLS HEADED TO TOWN: The Lady Yotes round out the home portion of the regular season this weekend with a pair of crucial CCC tilts. Friday afternoon, No. 5 ranked Concordia comes calling – bringing possibly the best small-college program in the Northwest to Caldwell. The Cavaliers (12-1-1, 6-0 CCC) have won 11 matches in a row, pitching shutouts in seven of their last eight matches, outscoring teams 53-7 on the season. CU, which received a first-place vote in last week’s NAIA poll, is led by a pair of outstanding scorers – Justine Pronovost (14 goals, 6 assists) and Jennifer Hughes (10 goals, 11 assists). The Cavs have dominated ACI recently, winning the past 16 meetings in a row, and hold an 18-2-4 all-time series lead with the Coyotes. Saturday, a resurgent Cascade team comes calling – a team that is a far cry from winless seasons in 2003 and 2004. The T-Birds (4-8-1, 2-3-1) have not allowed a goal in their last three games – wins over Oregon Tech and Simpson and a scoreless draw with Southern Oregon. Leading the Cascade attack are Desirae Pino (3 goals, 4 assists) and Daena Leffler (3 goals), while keeper Dixie Blackwell (1.32 GAA) has been consistent. ACI has won the past five meetings and holds a 9-4 all-time series edge.

MORE INFORMATION: Updated information and statistics on the 2006 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.

MEN’S BASKETBALL: 2006-07 Season Preview

Coming off just their second losing season in the past quarter century, the Albertson College of Idaho men’s basketball team was in need of a boost of energy. Head coach Mark Owen will supply the mojo with a new offensive and defensive scheme that will excite not only fans in the J.A. Albertson Activities Center, but around the Cascade Conference. The 2006-07 season – time to jump on the Coyote Express.

“We are going to be playing an uptempo style of game,” said the ACI coach. “This should allow us to utilize our strengths - speed and quickness.”

After missing out on an NAIA tournament appearance for the first time in four years, Owen decided to take the Yotes in a different direction. Instead of bringing in junior college talent, he focused recruitment of high-profile, high-character high school players – who have the ability to excel at the NAIA level. “We have changed our strategy in recruiting,” said Owen.  “For us to be successful at this level, we need to recruit junior college players who think they can play at the Division I level.  Most of the time, it doesn’t work out – and we do not get that sort of player.  This year, we are recruiting those same caliber players, except as freshmen, believing they will develop into that type of player by their junior season.”

The Coyote engineer looks to hand the train over to a true freshman this season, as Donnel Garner is expected to run the point. The Arizona native has great floor vision, has the ability to get to the rim, and can knock down the outside shot – all things he did leading Chaparral High to the state semifinals and earning 4A All-State honors. Helping Garner at the point is sophomore Brian Champ, who received considerable playing time as a freshman last year – hitting 47-percent of his shots, while recording more steals (20) than turnovers (9). “Both guards should see considerable playing time,” said Owen. “I believe that both players have the ability to run a team.”

The Yotes are loaded on the wing, as the top three scorers from last season return. Senior Ike Stafford earned honorable mention All-Cascade Conference honors last year after averaging 14 points and six rebounds a night – along with canning 51-percent of his three-point attempts. Also back is senior Brandon Nielsen, who led the team in scoring, averaging 16 points a night and provided ten 20-or-more point games, as is Josh Owen, who averaged 14 points a game – and led the squad with 93 assists. “Ike, Brandon, and Josh are arguably three of the best shooters in all of the Cascade Conference,” said the head man. “I think all three should excel in the up-tempo style of play.”

Two newcomers look to get in the wing rotation – freshmen Steffen Spinks and Anton Coleman. Both Spinks, a Californian, was a two-time league MVP in high school, and Coleman, a south-paw from Las Vegas, have that slashing, inside-outside ability that should thrive in the new system.

Up front, the Yotes have a quartet of returning players that will share the playing time. Sophomore Craig McGee started 12 games last season and showed flashes of brilliance, including a monster 30 point, 12 rebound game against Oregon Tech. Joining him is J.R. Maggard, the strongest player on the team – coming off a sophomore season that saw him miss the final 23 games due to injury. Also back is sophomore Kurt Nielson, who started 12 games last year – averaging four points and three rebounds a night. Rounding out the crew is Ryan Sinfield, the Yotes biggest player at 250 pounds – who has the size to dominate inside the paint. “Our bigs have to be able to run the floor in this system, and I feel we have the guys who are capable in doing that,” said Owen.

Once again, ACI will have one of the more difficult non-conference schedules in all of the NAIA Division II. The Yotes will open up with exhibition games against Northwest Nazarene and Idaho State – NNU, a team that the Purple and Gold defeated last season, and ISU, a squad the Coyotes stunned back in 2002. They will also some of the elite teams in the Frontier Conference – Carroll College, Westminster College, Montana-Western, and Montana Tech, with the Yotes seeing both Westminster and UM-Western twice. Throw in a game with Willamette, one of the top NCAA Division III opponents in the Northwest, and odds-makers would be hard pressed to find a tougher small-college schedule. “We have played 26 of our last 33 non-conference games on the road, with only one of those opponents from our level,” said Owen. “Once again, we will have a very challenging preseason – with a very young team.”

Year in and year out, the Cascade Conference is one of the top-three conferences in the NAIA Division II – and this year is no different, as the Coyotes were picked to finish fourth in the preseason coaches poll. Defending regular-season and postseason tournament champion Oregon Tech was the preseason favorite, as legendary coach Danny Miles returns guards Levell Hesia and Ryan Fiegi, along with adding All-American Joshua Garrett from Cascade College. Northwest, which bounced the Yotes from the playoffs last year, looks to be potent – behind the play of Aaron Sawyer and Stephen Ishmael, two of the better big-men in the league. Eastern Oregon was picked third, returning a trio of starters (Marc Carollo, Derek Brown, Tanner McIntosh) – coming off their best season since 1969. The middle of the pack would probably contend for most league titles – as Warner Pacific must look to replace All-CCC guards Donny Woods and Nate Menefee; Southern Oregon must replace NAIA Player of the Year Shea Washington – and three other starters; while Concordia will be much improved with an outstanding recruiting class, despite the loss of All-CCC guard, Michael Lay. The bottom three teams in the voting will also cause problems this year – Evergreen State looks to be the top defensive team in the loop again this year; Corban must replace all-everything post, Eric Fiegi; while Cascade has a revamped team under new coach, Zac Olsen. “I always think that the Cascade Conference is one of the best in the country,” said Owen. “I believe that our top four teams have the ability to compete well at the NAIA Tournament.”

The new season looks to be a fun and exciting year for the Coyotes – new players, new scheme, new energy. It’s time to hop on the Coyote Express – All Aboard!!!

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: 2006-07 Season Preview

A bit of optimism and a bit of uncertainty stare Albertson College of Idaho women’s basketball coach Reagan Rossi in the face as the upcoming 2006-07 season draws closer. A roster of 17 players, most of whom will receive playing time, will give the Lady Yotes their deepest team in the six-year head coach’s tenure. However, only five players return from last season’s 16-14 club – giving the new group a whole new flavor. With an uptempo style of play expected to energize the team, good things look to happen in Caldwell this year. “This team is very different than Lady Yote teams of the past,” said Rossi. “The athleticism and basketball knowledge is far greater than I anticipated. It will afford us the opportunity to change our style of play. We will count on a tremendous effort from our returnees to set the tone for the underclassmen. The underclassmen will be expected to play a large role in the up tempo style we will be adding to our repertoire.”

Rossi will have to replace a trio of starters – as two-time All-Cascade Conference wing Kim Strunk and CCC All-Defensive Team member Angie Gribble have graduated, while guard Merilee Caldwell is unable to play due to her second knee injury in three seasons. This will give the 12 new players – which includes nine true freshmen, an opportunity to make an impact immediately. The youth movement will start at the point-guard position as a trio of freshman look to play the bulk of the minutes. Grangeville native Allie Dreadfulwater has been impressive in practice, with twins Katee Brewer and Kayla Brewer of Arco utilizing their quickness to cause havoc. The trio of youngsters know how to win – Dreadfulwater’s 2005 team won the 2A state title, while the Brewer’s 2006 Butte County team won this year’s 2A championship, with all three earning All-State honors. “The freshmen bring with them a great deal of experience at winning,” said the sixth-year head coach. “Their heart, desire, work ethic and mentality to have lead them to successful careers at the high school level and we know they will bring that with them to ACI.”

The Lady Yotes have experience at the wing, as a pair of starters return – both with explosive ability to score. Jori Grady, the CCC Newcomer of the Year, brings her 15 points per game average back for her senior year. Joining her is Whitney Clark, who shook off nagging injuries to average 12 points a night – giving ACI a one-two punch on the outside. The duo combined to connect on 104 three-pointers last season – nearly two-thirds of the longballs made by the club. “I believe Jori and Whitney will continue where they left off last season, but with an added incentive,” said Rossi. “They are determined to lead this team and won’t tolerate losing. They both committed to working out during the summer and came back in great shape.” Joining Grady and Clark on the wing is Savannah Ames, who received limited playing time as a true freshman. A large group of newcomers also look to get in the mix – led by junior college transfer Christon Vander Esch and freshman Whitney Owen. Vander Esch was an All-NWAACC selection at Treasure Valley Community College last season, while Owen was the 4A Player of the Year, leading Vallivue High to the state title. Both players give Rossi athleticism at the position, along with much-needed height. Also looking for playing time is senior Liz Mortensen, who returns to the team after a three-year hiatus, freshman Grace Kelly, who comes to ACI out of the U.S. Marine Corp, and freshman Sarah Bodes, out of Cole Valley Christian High. “Christon, Whitney and Savannah will bring us a great deal of depth at our wing positions,” said Rossi. “Christon and Whitney both have potential to play a little bit of the four-spot for us because of their height and defensive tenacity. I feel this is the most depth we have had at this position in a long time. These players will all compete for a starting spot and will definitely play a major role in the success of our team this season.”

Rossi is very excited about the post position this season – partly because she returns a pair of experience players, but also nabbed a prized recruit. Senior Whitney Martin and junior Magen Dufurrena return for their third year in the program – with both knowing what it takes to succeed in the Cascade Conference. However, Dufurrena is coming off a knee surgery and Martin is recovering from a knee injury from last year. To help them out, the Yotes got an impact player in Denise Hill, who played 39 games as a forward for Boise State during the 2003-04 and 2004-05 seasons. Hill, a Eugene native and former Oregon 4A All-State selection, has the ability to play inside and outside at six-foot tall – causing defensive problems for ACI opponents. They’ll be joined by a pair of freshmen – Chelsea Williamson, a All-State player from Utah, and Kendall Burt of Sandpoint. “I am excited about “Duf” and “Big Whit” returning to us healthy, remarked Rossi. “We really missed their presence on the floor through the bulk of our season. Their energy and enthusiasm will add to the intensity on the floor. Denise is a player coaches really like to have around. She has a tremendous work ethic and a fierce competitiveness that just adds to the established group of leaders. I’m really excited to see how her athleticism and ability fits into our plan this year.”

Prior to the 18-game Cascade Conference grind, the Lady Yotes will have a very difficult preseason slate to fine-tune their new attack. It starts with a bang with an exhibition at the University of Utah – who won the Mountain West Conference tournament and advanced to the NCAA Regional Final, losing in overtime to eventual national champion, Maryland. They will make a return visit to the Wasatch Front the following week to meet three NAIA Division I teams – Montana-Western, Lewis-Clark State, and Westminster – who each spent time in last year’s national poll. ACI will come home for four non-conference tilts, meeting the University of Great Falls and rival Northwest Nazarene, along with a rematch with Westminster and a match-up with Willamette at the Best Western Inn and Suites Lady Yote Classic. They round out the preseason with a game vs. Whitworth and an exhibition vs. Capilano at the Aramark Classic in La Grande. “This seems like a recurring theme,” said Rossi. “Our pre-season is probably if not the toughest in the conference. Scheduling is never an easy task. We just hope that it pays off. If we can have some success throughout November, then I feel we can carry that into conference play. We will have a lot of bumps and bruises and maybe even get our pride hurt early but it is set up as a time for us to learn and grow together and become a cohesive group. What we learn in the pre-season will prepare us for the next two seasons, conference and tournament time.”

With the Cascade Conference looking to end a ten-game losing streak at the NAIA Division II national tournament, and improved league from top to bottom should help in breaking the skid in March. The coaches’ picked Corban to win the league in the preseason poll, on the strength of returning four starters, including All-CCC guards Jessi Schaumberg and Tosha Wilson. Eastern Oregon was picked second after their postseason tournament title, but the Mountaineers must replace league Player of the Year, Heidi Horobiowski. Oregon Tech returns a trio of starters – including speedy guards Kelsi Haylett and Lindsey Carmichael. Following the Yotes in the poll is defending regular-season champ, Warner Pacific – who must replace All-CCC standouts Angie Sun and Becky VanTine, and up-and-coming Evergreen State, who returns wing Jenny Olson. Rounding out the conference are four unknowns – Northwest, who needs to replace CCC leading scorer Emilee Eisinger; Southern Oregon, who missed the postseason for the second-straight season; Concordia, who has a new coach in Aaron Christian and could be a sleeper team this season; and Cascade, who looks to rebound after an 0-18 league mark last season. “The CCC will be tough again,” said the coach. “I think Corban will be the team to beat again. They have a lot of returning players and have a great deal of depth. After that, I really believe any team has a chance. There are a lot of new players this year for the majority of the teams, so that brings with it a great deal of unknowns. And we are right in that mix. With our new style and depth, I can’t say where we will be come February 20 – I just hope it’s at home in front of our family, friends and FANS!”

Game in and game out, the young ACI women’s basketball team will grow stronger as the year rolls on and arguably has the potential to be the best team Rossi has coached at the school. The 2006-07 season looks to be a fun trip for players, coaches, and fans alike.

SWIMMING: 2006-07 Season Preview

A year after making their first splash at the NAIA Championships, the Albertson College of Idaho swim program looks for bigger and brighter things during their third season of competition.

Head coach Mike Shines was forced to hit the recruiting trail, as the Yotes lost top sprinter Matt Barclay to graduation, while the women saw Tessa Mennell, a key component in the 200-relay team which qualified for nationals, not return for the 2006-07 season.

Shines, however, is very excited about the Coyotes chances this season - especially on the women's side.  He returns Alphonsina Savell, who was the lone individual qualifier from the ACI women's squad to last year's NAIA Championships.  The sophomore from Caldwell holds the school record in the 50-free (26.20), 100-free (59.00), along with both breaststroke events.  Also returning is Christine Mabile, who was the No. 2 swimmer last season in both the 50 and 100-free, and also holds the school-record in the 100-backstroke (1:11.40).

Four impact recruits should make a difference for the Coyotes, led by Elizabeth Peters of Woodburn, Ore.  The freshman has personal best times of 24.47 in the 50-free and 53.67 in the 100-free, which would shatter the current school records.  Look for freshman Ashlee Byrnes of Vancouver, Wash. to make an impact in the butterfly and backstroke events, Amber Evans of Meridian to be the Yotes top racer in the distance events, with  Ali Cabrera of Payette being a key component of the relay teams.

The men's squad is dominated by sophomore returners, led by John Green of Pleasanton, Calif., who qualified for last year's NAIA Championships in the 50-free (22.51), along with swimming a key leg in both relay teams that shattered school records at nationals.  Also back is Boise native Scott Mikelonis, who holds the school record in both the 100-breast and 200-medley, and Jeremy Younggren of Island City, Ore., who holds the school record in the 100-back - both of whom swam at nationals in the 200-medley relay.  They will be joined by Boisean Blake Bower, who rejoins the team after a year off.

The Coyotes will have a trio of duals against NCAA Division III foes on the road prior to the premier swimming invitational of the year, the Northwest Invitational in December.  When 2007 rolls around, ACI will host home duals against Pacific Lutheran and Linfield, along with the Coyote Invitational, the first weekend in February.