‘Yote Notes – Sept. 5, 2006

Mike Safford Jr. – Sports Info. Director

msafford@collegeofidaho.edu

ATHLETIC NEWS: Coyote Open set for September 22, Florence named All-Star

COYOTE OPEN SET FOR SEPTEMBER 22: Year in and year out, the Coyote Open is one of the biggest golf tournaments in the Treasure Valley. Through the generous support of Treasure Valley businesses, organizations and individuals, this golf tournament is the most successful fund-raising event of the year for the Coyote Athletic Association. It has also become one of the largest tournaments in the area with over 180 golfers. The 22nd Annual Coyote Open will take place on Friday, September 22, at Falcon Crest Golf Club in Kuna. Player entry fee is $100.00 per player. Please note that all entries received after Sept. 15 will be charged a late fee of $125.00. All entry fees must be ‘paid in full’ prior to the day of the tournament. Online Registration for the Open is available via the Internet at https://www.collegeofidaho.edu/media/_secure/coyoteopen.asp, or to request a player or team entry form, to become a Coyote Open sponsor, or need further information, you may contact Dave Hahn, Director of Development for Athletics, by email at dhahn@collegeofidaho.edu or by phone at (208) 459-5835.

FLORENCE NAMED FLORIDA STATE LEAGUE ALL-STAR: An outstanding season was capped off by accolades for former ACI baseball player Branden Florence, who was named to the Florida State League postseason all-star team. Florence, who plays for the Clearwater Threshers, the Advanced-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies, hit .327 with seven home runs, 30 doubles, and 86 RBI during the 140 game season – ranking second in the FSL in batting average, and third in both RBI and doubles.

CROSS COUNTRY: Season opening meet Saturday in Nampa

COMING UP: at Hampton Inn Fall Harrier Classic, West Park, Nampa – women’s race at 10 a.m., men’s race at 10:45 a.m.

COYOTES TO OPEN SEASON AT NNU MEET: The Albertson College of Idaho cross country team opens their third season in the Treasure Valley at the Hampton Inn Fall Harrier Classic, hosted by Northwest Nazarene. The meet will be a short-course – with the women’s race covering 4,000-meters and the men’s race covering 6,000-meters. Last season, the ACI men shocked the Treasure Valley by defeating NCAA Division I Boise State, along with rivals NNU, Lewis-Clark State, and Eastern Oregon for the meet title – with all of the main competitors returning again this year. The women’s field should again be deep, with head coach Pat McCurry anxious to see how his freshman recruiting class runs in their rookie meet.

WHO ARE THE YOTES?: Just this week, each of the 27 members of the ACI cross country team has had their biography posted on the team’s website, with individual and team photos to be posted later in the week. The men’s squad has 14 runners on the roster, with the women having 13 – the most in program history.

MORE INFORMATION: Updated information and top times on the 2006 cross country team can be found on ACI cross country official website at www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/xc.htm.

VOLLEYBALL (5-1, 2-0 CCC): Yotes sweep Concordia and Corban, head south for key games at Southern and Oregon Tech

COMING UP: at Southern Oregon, Friday, 7 p.m.; at Oregon Tech, Saturday, 7 p.m. (PDT)

LAST WEEK: vs. Concordia (W 3-0), vs. Corban (W 3-0)

YOTES MAINTAIN PERCH ATOP REGIONAL RANKINGS: With a pair of three-game wins under their belt to open up Cascade Conference play, the Albertson College of Idaho volleyball team remains on top of the NAIA Region I weekly top-ten poll. The Coyotes are followed by Westminster, Southern Oregon, Carroll, and Great Falls. Rounding out the top-ten are Rocky Mountain, Oregon Tech, Northwest, Concordia, and Montana Tech. The regional poll is released each Monday, with the NAIA poll released each Wednesday afternoon. ACI was ranked No. 16 in the preseason NAIA national poll and has the potential to move up do to their 5-1 start.

WINS NET BIG NUMBERS FROM COYOTES: A trio of Lady Yotes were nominated for CCC and regional player of the week honors after outstanding weekends. Libero Catherine Everist (Portland, Ore. / Chicago State U.) made the most of her Caldwell debut, setting a new three-game digs record with 34 in the win over Concordia. For the weekend, the junior averaged nine digs per game, along with just one serve receive error in 41 chances. Also having a big weekend was setter Erin Cherrington (Granby, Colo. / Middle Park HS), who averaged 12.6 assists and 3.3 digs per game – along with four block assists. The senior also had three kills – without an attack error. Rounding out the trio is Katie Hogue (Sparks, Nev. / Reed HS), who averaged 3.7 kills per game and hit at an astounding .486 percent clip. The junior also led the way with 11 block assists. The CCC and regional awards are announced on Tuesday afternoons, with the national awards announced on Wednesday.

COYOTES SWEEP CONCORDIA: Paced by a balanced offensive attack and 34 digs from libero Catherine Everist, the ACI volleyball team had a successful opening to Cascade Conference play, sweeping Concordia 30-25, 30-23, 30-23 at the J.A. Albertson Activities Center on Friday night. The got 12 kills from Tiffany Sower (Eagle, Idaho / Eagle HS) and eleven kills and six blocks from Katie Hogue in the home win. The 34 digs by Everist is the most by a Coyote in a three-game match in program history. Erin Murphy led the Cavaliers with 11 kills, with Rachel Cotter recording 21 digs. However, Concordia was plagued by inconsistent hitting, registering 28 kills, but 30 attack errors - partly thanks to a 12-4 edge in team blocks by the Yotes.

CORBAN NO MATCH FOR YOTES: Sophomore Kathryn Ely (La Grande, Ore / La Grande HS) led the way with 13 kills as ACI completed a weekend sweep, defeating Corban College, 30-17, 30-17, 30-19 on Saturday night. Balance was the key for the defending NAIA Region I champions, as 14 different players saw action, with 12 recording kills. The Yotes hit consistently all night (.336 percent), along with recording 13 team blocks. Sarah Buhler (Middleton, Idaho / Middleton HS) and Katie Hogue each had nine kills, with Hogue and Kristen Henning (Boise, Idaho / Boise HS) chipping in with five blocks each.

CONFERENCE NUMBERS: A total of seven different Coyotes rank among the top-ten statistical leaders in the first Cascade Conference report. Leading the group is Erin Cherrington, who tops the loop in assists per game (11.63), and Katie Hogue, who is third in the league in blocks per game (1.37), fifth in hitting percentage (.292), and seventh in kills per game (3.21). Two others rank in multiple categories – Kristen Henning is No. 3 in hitting percentage (.321) and blocks per game (1.69), with Anne Parker (Pocatello, Idaho / Century HS) eighth in hitting percentage (.253) and tenth in blocks per game (0.81). The others are found in one category each – Sarah Buhler ranks fourth in hitting percentage (.303), Kathryn Ely eighth in kills per game (3.00), and Catherine Everist, who ranks third in digs per game (6.90). As a team, ACI leads the league in blocks per game (3.09), and ranks second in digs per game (19.65), kills per game (14.00), hitting percentage (.203), ad assists per game (13.05).

NATIONAL NUMBERS: This season, the NAIA is providing weekly national statistics, through their association with DakStats3000. As a team, ACI currently ranks No. 8 in the NAIA in assists per game, No. 9 in blocks per game, No. 10 in kills per game, No. 13 in digs per game, and No. 16 in hitting percentage. Individually, Erin Cherrington is sixth in assists per game, Catherine Everist is No. 8 in digs per game, Kristen Henning is No. 8 in blocks per game, and Katie Hogue is No. 11 in blocks per game.

RECORD BOOK: As the season progresses, it is inevitable that the ACI record books will be rewritten. Currently, three players are already among the all-time top-ten. Katie Hogue ranks No. 4 all-time with 284 blocks and No. 8 with 681 kills. Erin Cherrington is third all-time with 3,813 assists and No. 4 with 147 aces – while her 858 digs puts her 27 bumps away from cracking the top-ten. Also on the list is Tiffany Sower, who is eighth all-time with 104 aces. Just outside the list is Anne Parker, who has 196 career blocks – 13 away from tenth-place.

MENDIOLA NEARING A MILESTONE: In her sixth-season as head coach, Liz Mendiola has racked up a 106-52 all-time record. She is closing in on a major coaching record – needing eight victories to become the all-time winningest volleyball coach in ACI history. Derek Soderblom holds the current mark of 113 wins during his seven years as coach.

TOUGH TRIP TO THE SOUTHLAND: The first trip for the Yotes in CCC play is typically the toughest for the league teams – heading south to meet Southern Oregon and Oregon Tech. ACI heads first to Ashland and a meeting with the Raiders (3-3, 2-0 CCC), who have won three consecutive matches after falling to nationally-ranked Azusa Pacific, Concordia-Irvine, and Fresno Pacific in the open weekend. Longtime head coach Paul Elliott had to replace a trio of All-CCC performers from a year ago, but returns the potent duo of Mia Wortel (4.2 k/g, league-best .385 hitting %) and Jaclyn Hamilton-Smith (3.3 k/g), along with new setter Molly Grossman (11.9 a/g). Last year, ACI dropped a five-game marathon at SOU during the regular-season, but rebounded for a five-game win over the Raiders in the CCC tournament finals. The Yotes are just 2-17 inside McNeal Pavilion – with both wins coming with Liz Mendiola as coach (2003 regular-season, 2005 tournament), but Southern holds a commanding 51-11 all-time series edge. Saturday, its off to Klamath Falls and a meeting with the Owls (6-2, 2-0). Head coach Amanda Rico has been away from the bench after the birth of her first son, so former Cascade head coach Angela Stewart has the reins – helping OIT win their last four matches. Outside hitter Krista Wooley (4.1 k/g, 3.4 d/g) has been the go-to player for the Owls, with All-CCC setter Megan Albertson (2.4 k/g, 8.3 a/g, 2.5 d/g) putting up big numbers. ACI took all three meetings with OIT last season, including a five-game victory in the regional semifinals, and holds a 26-17 all-time series edge.

NATIONAL RANKING: The Albertson College of Idaho volleyball team was ranked No. 16 in the 2006 NAIA preseason poll, released August 16 by the national office in Olathe, Kan. It marks just the second time in program history that the Lady Yotes have been in the NAIA preseason poll. The 2001 squad set the benchmark, beginning the year at No. 15 - the highest ranking achieved by an ACI volleyball team. Last season, the Coyotes won the Cascade Conference and NAIA Region I tournaments, followed up by a 2-2 mark at the NAIA Championships, finishing in a tie for ninth. The 27-7 team last season, which was ranked No. 24 in the final NAIA poll, along with a preseason No. 1 ranking in this year's CCC coaches' poll, helped ACI out in the latest ranking. National American (S.D.), Westminster (Utah), Southern Oregon, and Lindenwood (Mo.) were among the ACI opponents this season in the Top-25 and others receiving votes. Six others - No. 1 California Baptist, No. 3 Columbia (Mo.), Savannah A&D (Ga.), Cedarville (Ohio), Olivet Nazarene (Ill.), Cornerstone (Mich.), and Mount Vernon Nazarene (Ohio) are among ranked teams the Coyotes may face in their two preseason tournaments. The next coaches’ poll will be released on September 6.

PREVIOUS RANKINGS: The Coyotes have been ranked in the Top-25 on four occasions in program history – the preseason and first poll of the 2001 season, the final poll during the 2005 season, and this week’s ranking.

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 (1-2-1): Coyotes open Symms Field schedule Saturday after winning 1-of-3 at Westminster Invitational

COMING UP: vs. Whitman, Saturday, 11 a.m.; Alumni scrimmage, Sunday, 11 a.m.

LAST WEEK: at Westminster College Soccer Invitational, Salt Lake City – vs. Westminster (L 3-1), vs. Fresno Pacific (L 5-1), vs. Morningside (W 3-2)

SEASON SOCCER TICKETS: For the first time ever, a season ticket for Albertson College of Idaho men’s and women’s soccer will be available. For $20 per person, a fan can attend all seven men’s home games, along with all seven women’s home games – at a savings of $50. A family (husband and wife, along with all children) can receive a season pass for just $50. Admission prices for home soccer games are $5 for adults and $2 for students 17-and-under. For more information, contact Mike Safford at 459-5681.

REGIONAL RANKINGS: The first installment of the NAIA Region I weekly top-five poll saw parity in the Northwest soccer scene. Concordia remained in the top spot, followed by Evergreen State and Westminster. Corban took the No. 4 slot, followed by Simon Fraser – who dropped 1-0 decisions to both Evergreen State and Corban. On the outside looking in are both Northwest and Cascade – the lone unbeaten teams in the region.

COYOTES WEATHER THE STORM IN SALT LAKE: Issues galore plagued the ACI men’s soccer team during their annual trek to the Westminster Invitational – but in the end, the Yotes will be happy to take home a 1-2 mark. “We really struggled at first with Westminster’s new field – a premier Field Turf facility on their campus,” said head coach Brian Smith. “It is regulation size – something we do not have the luxury to train or play on a regular basis. Adding ten yards in width and length changes the tactical nature of the game.” Character issues also plagued the Yotes, as the team was saddled with six yellow cards and four red cards. “I was not, and still am not, pleased by the character, immaturity, and the decisions our players made on the field this weekend,” said the third-year head coach. “This is not indicative of Coyote soccer and I will not tolerate it. It will not happen again.”

VS. WESTMINSTER: Dave Rogers scored a pair of unassisted goals, as Westminster College opened up the 2006 Westminster Soccer Invitational with a 3-1 victory over ACI Thursday at Dumke Field. Rogers got the Griffins on the board in the 30th minute, belting a direct free kick into the net. Taylor Lever would follow six minutes later, again on a free kick, to give the hosts a 2-0 lead at the break. With the man advantage in the second half, Westminster held a 9-1 edge in shots in the second half, netting a Rogers goal with five minutes left. The Coyotes would avert the shutout in the 87th minute, as Alex Penrod (Las Vegas, Nev. / Cimarron-Memorial HS) found the net off a Mitch White (Boise, Idaho / Gonzaga U.) assist.

VS. FRESNO PACIFIC: Despite notching their first lead of the season, the ACI men's soccer team lost a 5-1 decision Friday afternoon to Fresno Pacific at the Westminster Soccer Invitational in Salt Lake City. Senior All-American Mitch White took a pass from Mauricio Both (Cachoeira de Sul, Brazil / Nampa HS) in the seventh minute and found the net for an early 1-0 lead. However, the Sunbirds would get the equalizer from Adrian Alvarado in the 17th minute and a penalty kick from Amaury Nunes just before the break to take the lead. For the second-straight day, the Yotes played the second half a man-down due to a red card and FPU capitalized, getting goals from Victor Machado, Alvarado, and Nunes to complete the scoring.

WIN VS. MORNINGSIDE: Mitch White scored a pair of first half goals, and Scott Ward (Rexburg, Idaho / Madison HS) scored the game-winner early in the second half as the ACI men’s soccer picked up their first win of 2006, a 3-2 victory over Morningside College Saturday at the Westminster Invitational. The win, however, was marred by a pair of red cards by the Coyotes, that drew the ire of head coach Brian Smith. "We had outstanding play today all the way around, but it was tarnished by the immaturity of our squad," said Smith. "It is plain and simple - we need to grow up quick." ACI dominated the Mustangs of Sioux City, Iowa in the first half, holding a 7-1 shot advantage. White got the Yotes on the board in the 30th minute on a long blast, then added his second goal off a nice combination from Tyler Seaman (Boise, Idaho / Centennial HS) and Alex Penrod. Ward made it 3-0 early in the second half, flicking home a Kazuki Murata (Tokyo, Japan, Ichituru HS) corner. However, Morningside added a goal from Mario Khoury with 15 minutes to play, and playing a man down, got within one goal on a Ricky Azpeitia tally with 80 seconds left.

INJURY REPORT: The Coyotes reported only one injury following their three games in Utah – as starting midfielder Antonio Bautista (Homedale, Idaho / Homedale HS) missed the final two games with a strained groin. He is day-to-day, but expected to see action this weekend. Also on the mend is Scott Fuller (Boise, Idaho / Cal State-Fullerton), who has missed the first three weeks of the season with a nagging ankle injury. There is optimism that Fuller will be in uniform this weekend.

CASCADE CONFERENCE NUMBERS: In the first complete Cascade Conference statistical report of the season, Mitch White is among the league leaders in six different categories – first in shots (16), points (7), and goals scored (3), second in goals per game (0.75), third in shots per game (4.00), and fourth in points per game (1.75). Other Yotes in the top-ten are Antonio Bautista, who is sixth in shots per game (3.00), and Rob Erichson (Boise, Idaho / Walla Walla CC), who leads the league in saves (25) and saves per game (6.25).

REMATCH WITH WHITMAN: The Coyotes will play a return tilt with Whitman College on Saturday morning, opening up a seven-game home schedule – with the contest providing the only non-league home match. ACI and the Missionaries (0-0) played to a 0-0 draw on August 25, a game that counted in the win-loss column for the Yotes, but was an exhibition for the Whits. Andy Huntington leads the Walla Walla, Wash. bunch, having scored five goals and two assists as a sophomore, earning All-Northwest Conference honors – and also played well for the Missionaries in their August tour of England, where they went 2-1-2. It is the 13th meeting between the teams, with the Yotes holding a 7-4-1 all-time edge.

WELCOME BACK THE ALUMS: Sunday, ACI will introduce the current varsity squad to the past, as a very good Alumni squad will meet the 2006 bunch on the Symms Field pitch. Last year, the Alumni stunned the varsity with a 2-0 victory in the scrimmage, which typically features 10-15 former All-Conference or All-American players – and is coached by former longtime ACI leader, John Calpin.

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.

WOMEN’S SOCCER (1-2): Yotes host Central, travel to Western and L&C after dropping two at NNU Invite

COMING UP: vs. Central Washington, Wednesday, 4 p.m.; at Western Oregon, Saturday, 1 p.m. (PDT); at Lewis & Clark, Sunday, 11 a.m. (PDT)

LAST WEEK: at Les Schwab Invitational, Nampa – vs. Northwest Nazarene (L 3-1), vs. Eastern Oregon (L 2-0).

NAIA REGION I WEEKLY POLL: With a 1-2 overall record, the Lady Yotes were not among the NAIA Region I Top-5 poll. Leading the way was Concordia, followed by Carroll, who upset No. 4 ranked Simon Fraser on Sunday. SFU is followed by Rocky Mountain, while no fifth team was listed. The NAIA releases the regional poll every Monday, with the national poll released on Wednesday afternoon.

TOUGH TIMES IN NAMPA: Last season, the ACI women’s soccer team took home the championship of the Les Schwab Invitational to open the 2005 campaign. The 2006 tournament was a bit different – as the Lady Yotes managed to score just one goal in losses to Northwest Nazarene and Eastern Oregon. Finishing chances was the toughest pill to swallow for ACI, as the Purple and Gold held the edge over their opponent in shots during three of the four halves played – but could not find the net.

NNU GETS THE BEST OF YOTES: Shanel Shepard figured in all three Northwest Nazarene goals, as the Crusaders opened up the 2006 Les Schwab Invitational with a 3-1 victory over ACI on Thursday. After dominating play during the first 25 minutes, the Crusaders got on the board in the 30th minute, as Shepard collected a blocked Katy McNutt shot and blasted the ball in the net. Nine minutes later, Kristi Rice collected a blocked Shepard shot and deflected the ball into the goal for the 2-0 lead. Although the Lady Yotes played with more energy in the second half, McNutt would make it 3-0 in the 61st minute, slotting home a Shepard cross after a Christy Wilson throw-in. ACI would get on the board in the final five minutes, as reserve Jennifer Phillips (Ontario, Ore. / Ontario HS) scored her first career goal, off a Jayne Saunders (Emmett, Idaho / Emmett HS) pass at the top of the 18. NNU would hold a 17-10 edge in shots and held a 12-4 edge in corner kicks.

EASTERN TAKES ADVANTAGE OF OPPORTUNITIES: Despite ACI holding a 25-15 advantage in shots, Eastern Oregon keeper Kristina Kennedy kept the Lady Yotes at bay, as the Mountaineers took a 2-0 women's soccer decision Friday at the Les Schwab Invitational. Jen Junk flicked home a long indirect kick from Tara Moran in the 40th minute that capped a see-saw first half, one in which both teams had chances. The Yotes best chance came a minute later, as Jayne Saunders got in behind the Mountaineer defense, but her 1-on-1 shot went just left. ACI put the pressure on in the second half, taking nearly twice as many shots as Eastern, however the Mountaineers knocked home a goal in the 81st minute, as Allie Kirby took a feed off a nice combination from Cydney Topping and Tennly Paul-Bowden and found the open net.

TROUBLE ON SET PIECES: Although the Coyotes allowed five goals in the two matches – collectively, the defensive unit played well. The exception was on set pieces, as NNU tallied goals off a corner kick and a throw in, while Eastern knocked both their goals in following free kicks. “We need to do a better job in clearing the ball from the back,” said head coach Niki Taylor. “We cannot allow our opponent to have extra scoring chances due to our own mistakes.”

HOME OPENER: After playing three matches away from Caldwell, the Lady Yotes open the first of seven home games this season at Symms Field, hosting Central Washington on Wednesday afternoon. The Wildcats (2-2) are perfect against NAIA competition this season – having defeated Evergreen State and Northwest, but are 0-2 against NCAA Division II foes. Arica Slawson (1 goal, 1 assist) is the leading scorer for Central – who was picked to finish fourth in the six-team Great Northwest Athletic Conference. The two teams met in Caldwell last season, with the Wildcats taking a 1-0 victory of an own-goal with three minutes to play. Central holds a 6-2 all-time series edge with ACI.

ROADIE TO WILLAMETTE VALLEY TO MEET OLD FRIENDS: This weekend, ACI will travel for the first time this season west of the Cascades – to rekindle series with longtime foes. Saturday, the Yotes meet former Cascade Conference rival Western Oregon for the first time since 1999. The Wolves (1-1-1) and ACI used to play on a yearly basis, but haven’t since Western moved to the NCAA Division II. Rod Fretz’s club has scored just one goal in their three games – tallied by Lisa Munyon, but defense has been their key, shutting out both Humboldt State and nationally-ranked Chico State (thanks to Ally Meyer’s 0.93 GAA). It is the ninth meeting between the teams, with WOU holding a 7-1 all-time edge. The history goes further back on Sunday, as ACI meets Lewis & Clark for the first time in 16 years. The Pioneers (1-1) used to be NAIA District II rivals of the Yotes – but not only left the NAIA in the 1990s, but dropped their soccer program. Soccer was reinstated at the now NCAA Division III school two years ago – with L&C posting a 7-10-3 mark last year – led by Lisa Housman’s nine goals and Nora Germano’s 1.56 GAA. The Pios opened the season last weekend in the Midwest, defeating Central (Iowa), 4-1, but losing to Augsburg (Minn.), 2-0. ACI holds the all-time series edge with L&C, 3-0-1.

MORE INFORMATION: Updated information and statistics on the 2006 women’s soccer team can be found on Albertson men’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.

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