Yote Notes – Oct. 30, 2007

Mike Safford Jr. – Sports Info. Director

msafford@collegeofidaho.edu

 

 

 

 

 

ATHLETIC NEWS: Run to the Mountains, Rooter Bus, Orange Sales

 

SKI TEAM SET FOR RUN TO THE MOUNTAINS: The College of Idaho Ski and Snowboard team is set for their annual “Run to the Mountains” coming up on November 10.  The athletes will traverse the 45 miles from Caldwell to the Bogus Basin Resort by rollerblading, rollerskiing, and on foot – via Ustick and Bogus Basin Road.  It is 30th year that the Coyotes have held this fundraiser to help with costs for the upcoming 2008 season.  For more information on how to help with the event or to donate, contact head coach Ron Bonneau at 459-5863.

 

ROOTER BUS TO LA GRANDE: The C of I alumni office is organizing a rooter bus for the Nov. 10 men’s basketball game in La Grande against Montana Tech.  The cost for the round-trip charter is $15.00 and will leave the Activities Center parking lot at 3:30 p.m. the day of the game.  To reserve your space, contact Mary Bitner at 459-5300.

 

HERE COME THE ORANGES: Once again this fall, The C of I baseball team will be holding their annual Orange Sale.  Along with the oranges, the Coyotes will also sell boxes of grapefruits and three different types of apples.  To secure your fruit, contact head coach Shawn Humberger at 459-5861.

 

MEN’S BASKETBALL: Tough games await the Yotes as The C of I opens 2007-08 season in Las Vegas

 

COMING UP: at Las Vegas Classic (Del Sol High School, Las Vegas, Nev.) – Friday vs. Concordia-Irvine, 3 p.m. (PST), Saturday vs. Vanguard, 6 p.m. (PST)

 

BACK TO LAS VEGAS: After a three year hiatus, The College of Idaho men’s basketball team will make a return to the Las Vegas Classic – one of the more popular preseason tournaments for players and fans alike.  The Classic will have a star-studded field, including Robert Morris and Concordia-Irvine, who were a part of the NAIA Division I Final Four last season, along with Westminster, The Masters, Vanguard, and the Yotes.

 

HISTORY IN “SIN CITY”: The Yotes made seven consecutive trips to Vegas from the 1997-98 season through the 2003-04 season – with their last trip one of their most memorable.  That 2003-04 season saw The C of I defeat Robert Morris 83-81, handing RMC their only regular-season loss, as they advanced to the NAIA Division I title game.  The Yotes then defeated No. 2 ranked William Jewell, 67-65 – as The C of I went on to claim the Cascade Conference championship.

 

ON THE AIR: All 30 regular-season games and both exhibition games will be broadcast live in the Treasure Valley on 1490 KCID-AM, the Home of the Coyotes.  Sports information director Mike Safford returns for his seventh-year as Voice of the Coyotes, with the first broadcast set for Friday afternoon.  The pregame show begins 20-minutes prior to tip-off each night.  Most games will also be simulcast online via The C of I athletic website at www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/caa/radio.htm, however, it is unclear whether the internet broadcast will be available this weekend.

 

A CRACK AT THE NAIA RUNNER-UPS: The Yotes open the season against one of the toughest NAIA Division I teams in the land, Concordia-Irvine.  The Eagles (32-6 in 2006-07) advanced to the national title game last season, losing 79-71 – but return three starters with loads of experience and were picked to win the ever-tough Golden State Athletic Conference.  Both Joe Robertson (8.9 ppg, 6.0 rpg) and Adam Greenaway (9.5 ppg, 3.0 apg) were with CUI when they topped the Yotes, 99-96 in two overtimes during the 2005-06 season, while St. Mary’s transfer Rafael Da Silva (10.9 ppg) returns for his senior year.  It is the second all-time meeting between the schools.

 

VANGUARD WAITS ON SATURDAY: Saturday night, the Yotes close out the tournament against another GSAC school, tangling for the first time with Vanguard.  The Lions (7-22 in 2006-07) return three starters from last year – 6-7 post Matt Davis (6.8 ppg, 5.6 rpg) and guards Greg Gustiff (9.9 ppg, 2.3 rpg) and Matt Davis (6.8 ppg, 5.6 rpg), but were picked to finish ninth in the GSAC preseason poll.

 

NOTE GAME TIMES: Game times in Las Vegas are Pacific Time, with the Yotes meeting Concordia at 3 p.m. and Vanguard at 6 p.m.

 

A LOOK BACK TO LAST YEAR: Last year, head coach Mark Owen tried an experiment with a new offensive/defensive system – one that employed a full-court press scores nearing triple-digits.  It worked, as the Yotes opened the season with a 10-1 record and finished third in the Cascade Conference race – earning a berth to the NAIA Tournament.  Despite a loss to Northwestern (Iowa) in Branson, Mo., it was a great learning experience for the ten returning players that will make up the nucleus of the new Yotes bunch.

 

KEY LOSSES: The eighth-year head man will have to find some new scoring punch, as The C of I lost their top-two scorers from last season to graduation.  Honorable mention All-America selection Ike Stafford, who averaged nearly 18 points a game, is now playing professionally in Germany, while Brandon Nielsen, who averaged 15 points a night, is also gone.

 

OWEN AND CHAMP ANCHOR THE GUARDS: An outstanding group of guards look to continue the long-range arsenal tradition of the Yotes.  Josh Owen (Caldwell, Idaho / Vallivue HS) returns for his final season in the program, having already eclipsed the 1,000-point mark in his career.  The senior averaged 14 points a game last season and currently is the all-time school leader in free throw percentage.  He’ll be complemented in the backcourt by two-sport sensation, Bryan Champ (Boise, Idaho / Borah HS).  The junior was named Cascade Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2007 after leading the loop with 66 steals, while averaging eight points and four rebounds a game.  Champ is also a two-time All-CCC third-baseman on the Coyote baseball team.

 

SOPHOMORES READY TO MAKE A STATEMENT: The duo will be joined by a trio of talented sophomores who learned the ropes during their rookie seasons.  Steffen Spinks (Manteca, Calif. / East Union HS) averaged five points a game and had a 13-point, eight-rebound night against Eastern Oregon in the CCC playoffs, while Donnel Garner (Scottsdale, Ariz. / Chaparral HS) led the squad with 15 points in the NAIA Tournament loss to Northwestern.  Also back is south-paw Anton Coleman (Las Vegas, Nev. / Eldorado HS), who averaged four points a game.  All three players have the ability to shoot from the perimeter and to get to the rim.

 

NEW GUARDS LOOK TO CONTRIBUTE: Five newcomers will also be in the mix at the guard positions – two transfers and three true freshmen.  Leading the way is Phillip Matcham (Fresno, Calif. / Fresno City CC), who helped Fresno City College to the Community College League of California title.  The junior was a two-time All-Central Valley Conference selection and led the league in three-point accuracy as a freshman and sophomore.  Also heading to The C of I is Calen Blessinger (Blackfoot, Idaho / Columbia Basin CC), who averaged five points a game at Columbia Basin College, helping them to a fourth-place finish in the NWAACC Tournament.  Heading the youngsters is Andy Maxwell (Nampa, Idaho / Skyview HS), a 6-5 combo-guard, who helped Skyview High to two 4A state titles and a runner-up finish in 2007.  He is joined by California native Daniel Vahradian (Santa Cruz, Calif. / Harbor HS), who averaged 18 points a game as a senior in high school, and Kyle Redman (Declo, Idaho / Declo HS), an All-SCIC selection last year at Declo High.

 

McGEE LEADS THE BIG MEN: Six players are in the mix in the paint, including a pair of returning starters.  Craig McGee (Boise, Idaho / Centennial HS) is coming off an outstanding sophomore season, where he earned honorable mention All-CCC honors.  The 6-8 McGee averaged 11 points and six boards a night – leading the Yotes in rebounds and blocked shots.  Also back is Kurt Nielson (Rexburg, Idaho / Eastern Utah CC), who has the ability to score from the inside and the outside.  The junior averaged five points and three rebounds a game last year.  Off the bench, J.R. Maggard (Caldwell, Idaho / Vallivue HS) returns for his senior season – looking to build off the six points and three boards he recorded last year, while sophomore Tucker Long (Pocatello, Idaho / Century HS) will be utilized in the paint this season – after spending his freshman campaign on the wing.  Big Ryan Sinfield (Redwood City, Calif. / St. Francis HS) will press for more playing time during his junior season, utilizing his 6-7, 260-pound frame under the basket, while hometown kid, Jaron Tietsort (Caldwell, Idaho / Caldwell HS), looks to crack the rotation.

 

PRESEASON SCHEDULE: The 2007-08 preseason schedule is different than past seasons, as the Yotes will host not one, but two tournaments – however, it is still one of the most difficult slates in the NAIA Division II.  In fact, The C of I will not play an NAIA Division II team in the preseason for the third time in four season.  Highlighting the schedule are a pair of high-profile exhibition games against NCAA competition.  The first is the annual United Heritage TipOff against Northwest Nazarene in the Idaho Center, where nearly 5,000 fans watched the Yotes stop NNU 88-80 last season.  The other is just before Christmas, when The C of I plays their first-ever Pac-10 opponent, meeting Trent Johnson’s Stanford University squad, ranked No. 21 in the NCAA Division I preseason poll.  The Coyotes will open the regular-season in Las Vegas for the first time since 2003 – meeting defending NAIA Division I national runner-up Concordia-Irvine and fellow Golden State Athletic Conference foe, Vanguard, at the Las Vegas Classic.  They’ll then head to La Grande, Ore., for games against Montana-Western and Montana Tech, before heading home for the 21st Duane Wolfe Memorial Golden Rule Shoot-Out – meeting Division III power Willamette and NAIA I power, Westminster.  Following Thanksgiving, the Yotes head to Salt Lake City for games a rematch with Westminster and a game vs. Carroll College, then round-out the preseason by hosting the Wendy’s Classic – bringing NNU, Westmont College, and Montana-Western to the J.A. Albertson Activities Center.  The opening night of the Classic will have all gate receipts support the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption – part of Wendy’s Wonderful Kids program

 

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE: The tough schedule will prepare the Yotes for the rugged Cascade Conference season – a 20-game slate that begins this season in late November.  Warner Pacific looks to be the class of the league heading into the season, earning ten first-place votes in the preseason coaches’ poll.  The Knights return all five starters from a team that advanced to the second-round of the NAIA Tournament, including league MVP, Scott O’Gallagher.  Oregon Tech will be in the title mix with All-CCC performer, Ryan Fiegi, back – however, they must replace a pair of All-Americans in Levell Hesia and Joshua Garrett.  Eastern Oregon, which is coming off their best season since 1969, returns four starters from their 23-8 squad.  Northwest looks to continue their upswing after their run to the NAIA semifinals last March, but will be in rebuilding mode – returning just one player from their 2006-07 squad.  Concordia returns CCC Freshman of the Year, Matt Ochs, while Southern Oregon, Corban, Evergreen State, and Cascade all had solid recruiting classes and look to make a move in the league standings.  The question mark is Northwest Christian, making their first trek through the CCC.

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION: For more information on the Coyotes, head to the official homepage of The C of I men’s basketball – www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/mensbasketball.htm.

 

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: Lady Yotes set to open preseason schedule with game Saturday at Utah State

 

COMING UP: at Utah State, Saturday, 5 p.m.

 

IT STARTS ON SATURDAY: The 2007-08 women’s basketball season for The College of Idaho opens up on Saturday afternoon, as the Lady Yotes head to Logan, Utah, for a match-up with Utah State.  It is the second-straight season that The C of I has opened in Utah, as last season, the Lady Yotes forced 30 turnovers in a 98-45 loss to the University of Utah.  It marks the fourth match-up against a Division I team from the Beehive State – the Yotes have played Utah twice and also tangled with Southern Utah.

 

LOOKING AT THE AGGIES: Raegan Pabley’s USU Aggies are coming off an 11-18 season and a 7-9 finish in the Western Athletic Conference.  The squad was picked to finish seventh in the nine-team league in both the preseason coaches and media poll, with guard Taylor Richards (11.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 3.1 apg) earning second-team All-WAC honors in the preseason balloting.  Another returning starter has local ties, as former Vallivue product Jenny Gross (9.0 ppg, 3.8 rpg) is a starting forward.  They will have a tune-up prior to the exhibition against the Lady Yotes, as they will play the traveling Utah Pride on Tuesday night.

 

ON THE WEB: Live stats of the C of I-USU game can be found on the Utah State athletic website, courtesy of GameTracker (http://utahstateaggies.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/sched/ust-w-baskbl-sched.html). 

 

A LOOK BACK TO LAST YEAR: Last season, after beginning the season 1-4, the Lady Yotes hit their stride, winning 17 of their next 19 games – including nine in a row, averaging 76 points a game during their run, earning their first Top-25 ranking in five seasons.  However, The C of I dropped their final three CCC games, falling from first-to-third in the standings, and lost a tough conference tournament semifinal tilt at Corban College to finish 19-10. 

 

KEY LOSSES: Seventh-year head coach Reagan Rossi will have to replace four key contributors from last season – including two-time All-CCC wing, Jori Grady, who averaged ten points and four rebounds a game, and led the team with 77 steals.  She’ll also have to replace Savannah Ames, who averaged nine points a game off the bench, and a pair of back-ups – post Whitney Martin and point-guard Allie Dreadfulwater, who both averaged 14 minutes a game.

 

STACKED AT THE GUARDS: The success of the Yotes, who were picked second in the CCC Preseason Coaches Poll, will be from the guard line – the key position in the multiple traps and presses that will be applied by The C of I.  Back for her senior season is Whitney Clark (Jerome, Idaho / Northwest Nazarene U.), who earned All-CCC honors last year, who hit 48 three-pointers and led the squad with her 15 points per game average.  Also returning at the guard position are sophomore twins – Kayla Brewer (Arco, Idaho / Butte County HS)and Katee Brewer (Arco, Idaho / Butte County HS), who combined for 63 steals last season, with Kayla Brewer starting the final 20 games of the season.  Three junior college transfers will be in the regular guard rotation – all offering Rossi different options.  Josie Pugsley (Park Valley, Utah / Snow CC) will be counted on to provide minutes at the point-guard position after having a solid two-year career at Snow College.  Another Snow transfer, ShaNae Horner (West Jordan, Utah / Snow CC), will be counted on for her scoring punch – after averaging ten points a game and hitting 40-percent of her long range attempts as a sophomore, earning All-Region 18 honors.  They’ll be joined by Ashley Wolfe (Boise, Idaho / Walla Walla CC), an All-NWAACC performer who is the most prolific three-point shooter in Walla Walla Community College history.

 

EXPERIENCE AT THE WING: At the wing, the Lady Yotes return starter Christon Vander Esch (Riggins, Idaho / Treasure Valley CC), who should benefit from a year in the system.  The junior averaged seven points and six rebounds a game - leading the club with 32 blocked shots, while setting a school record with 11 steals against Willamette.  Whitney Owen (Caldwell, Idaho / Vallivue HS) will be counted on for more minutes this season, as the sophomore averaged five points and three rebounds a night in her rookie campaign.  Scrappy senior Magen Dufurrena (Denio, Nev. / Lowry HS), who had 98 rebounds and 50 steals last year, will continue to be a thorn in the side of opponents on the defensive end.  Others in the mix is returning senior Liz Mortensen (San Diego, Calif. / Horizon HS), along with freshmen Tyra Rickman (Burns, Ore. / Burns HS), Brianna Hansen (Kuna, Idaho / Kuna HS), and Mckel Baker (Burley, Idaho / BurleyHS) – with Rickman winning a 3A state title at Burns High in Oregon, and Baker earning a 4A state title at Burley High.

 

HILL LEADS THE WAY IN THE PAINT: In the paint, The C of I looks for a big season from senior Denise Hill (Eugene, Ore. / Boise State U.).  The former Boise State player averaged 11 points and eight rebounds a game – earning honorable mention All-CCC honors.  Hill scored in double-figures 21 times during the season and recorded seven double-doubles.  True freshman, Nicole Bruce (Boise, Idaho / Bishop Kelly HS), will be expected to back up Hill – a year after earning All-Southern Idaho Conference honors in leading Bishop Kelly to the consolation final at the 4A State Tournament.

 

PRESEASON SCHEDULE: Once again, the Lady Yotes will play one of the toughest non-conference preseason schedules – with just one game at home.  Last season, The C of I opened at the University of Utah, while this year, the Yotes tangle with Utah State in Logan.  They’ll then begin their tour of the NAIA Division I Frontier Conference – heading to Montana for games against MSU-Northern and Great Falls, along with a home-and-home with Westminster.  In December, the Yotes meet national powers Lewis-Clark State and Carroll in Lewiston, and close things out with their Canyon County rival, Northwest Nazarene.

 

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE: The CCC schedule begins this season in late November and will have 20 counting games to determine the eight teams headed to the league tournament in February.  Defending regular-season champion, Eastern Oregon, earned the top spot in the coaches’ poll – and returns post Sheena Henderson, but will have to replace CCC Player of the Year, Christie Weaver.  Southern Oregon will be a force this season, thanks to the place of returning all-star, Chelsey Muri, while Corban will have to replace a senior laden squad – but has experienced wing Jessica Steigleman to turn to.  Oregon Tech returns Cora McVey, one of the best all-around players in the league, with Concordia returning all five starters from last season.  Expect both Warner Pacific and Northwest to be improved, while Evergreen State, Cascade, and CCC newcomer, Northwest Christian battling to join the playoff mix.

 

ABOUT THE COACH: Reagan Rossi begins her seventh season as head coach of the Lady Yotes. During her first six seasons at The College of Idaho, the native of Mukwonago, Wisc. has compiled a 97-85 overall record, with six consecutive appearances in the Cascade Conference Tournament.  The 35-year-old took a 2001-02 team that had only one returning starter and only four players with extensive collegiate experience, and brought the Lady Yotes to within one game of the national tournament.  During the 2004-05 season, she did it again.  The squad, which had just two players with considerable experience with the Coyotes, won 20 games, and dropped the CCC Tournament title game to Western Baptist, 60-57.  This past season, she took a squad with one returning starter and five true freshmen and won 19 games, earning an NAIA Top-25 ranking, and advancing to the CCC semifinals.  Rossi was no stranger to The C of I, as she was a member of Todd Corman's inaugural coaching staff for two seasons, and was on the bench when the Coyotes took to the floor for the first time on Nov. 4, 1995 against Carroll College, ending an 18-year hiatus of women's basketball at the school.  Rossi has an extensive background in coaching -  having been an assistant coach at Georgetown (Ky.), a fellow NAIA institution, along with Morehead State (Ky.), an NCAA Division I program.   Before coming to The C of I in 1995, Rossi was an assistant coach with the Skagway High School boys' varsity team in Skagway, Alaska.   A 1994 graduate of Saint Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa, Rossi played four years of college basketball for the Queen Bees.  Two of her teams qualified for the NAIA National Tournament, including the 1993-94 squad which advanced into the "Sweet Sixteen."  She was the starting point-guard for two seasons, averaging ten points and six assists per game during her senior season.  In 2006, she was inducted into the Mukwonago High School Hall of Fame.  She and husband Rudy live in Caldwell - and have three-year-old twin daughters, Maggie and Darby.

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION: For more information on the Lady Yotes, head to the official homepage of The C of I women’s basketball – www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/wmensbasketball.htm.

 

VOLLEYBALL: Lady Yotes run home streak to 34, head out on final regular-season road trip to Seattle area

 

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

 

COMING UP: at Northwest, Friday, 7 p.m. (PDT); at Evergreen State, Saturday, 7 p.m. (PDT)

 

LOOKING AHEAD TO THE REGIONAL: With just two weeks remaining in the regular season, the Lady Yotes need just one win to clinch their third-straight bid to the NAIA Region I Tournament - and look to win the title for a third-straight year.  Unlike in the past, the Cascade Conference eliminated the league tournament, opting for the top-three regular-season teams earning a spot in the Regional.  The top-three Frontier Conference teams will also be a part of the eight-team tournament in Spokane, Wash., with the final two slots determined by the final regional ranking. 

 

YOTES STREAKS CONTINUE TO BUILD: The Lady Yotes extended a pair of long win streaks last weekend with their wins over Corban and Concordia.  The C of I extended their streak against teams not receiving votes in the NAIA poll to 59 in a row. – a streak that dates back to August of 2005.  With the win over Concordia on Saturday, the Lady Yotes have also won 34 games in a row in the J.A. Albertson Activities Center, dating back to the 2005 season.

 

BACK AT HOME: The Lady Yotes have enjoyed much success in the J.A. Albertson Activities Center over the last 12 years, compiling a 127-36 record in the building – winning 78-percent of their matches.  Over the last three seasons, The C of I has a staggering 46-2 record at home, including the current 34-match home win streak.  Under Liz Mendiola, the Lady Yotes have a 75-12 record at home.

 

YOTES DOMINATE CONCORDIA: Paced by outstanding passing and 31 block assists, The C of I maintained a share of the Cascade Conference lead by dispatching Concordia University in three games, 30-11, 30-21, 30-12, Saturday in the J.A. Albertson Activities Center.  Game 1 saw The C of I jump out to an 11-0 lead, forcing the Cavaliers into 11 hitting errors to earn the win.  Game 2 saw CU play even with the Yotes for the first 25 points, with the hosts holding a 13-12 lead.  However, the Coyotes won seven of the next eight points to take control.  Game 3 saw Kathryn Ely (La Grande, Ore. / La Grande HS) rack up six kills in the win.  Ely led the offense with 12 kills, with Anne Parker (Pocatello, Idaho / Century HS) adding 11 kills and four blocks.  Sarah Buhler (Middleton, Idaho / Middleton HS) had seven kills and seven blocks, Katie Hogue (Sparks, Nev. / Reed HS) had six kills and eight blocks, with Kristin Henning (Boise, Idaho / Boise HS) adding three kills and eight blocks.

 

REMEMBERING HER D-I SETTING DAYS: The box score on Saturday saw a couple weird numbers, as libero Catherine Everist (Portland, Ore. / Chicago State U.) did not lead the squad in digs for just the second time all season.  Setter Madie Machurek (Eagle, Idaho / Eagle HS) had a career-high 19 digs in the match, as Concordia focused their attack at the Yote setters.  However, Everist was able to help out in another way, as she recorded 14 assists – the most by a Coyote libero in program history.  It brought back memories of her last stop – as Everist was the starting setter for two seasons at NCAA Division I Chicago State.

 

C OF I-CONCORDIA STREAKY: The win over Concordia extended the Yotes win streak against the Cavaliers to ten in a row, dating back to the beginning of the 2004 season.  What is interesting is that the Coyote win in 2004 ended a CU 11-game win streak over The C of I that dated back to the 1997 season. 

 

CORBAN CAN’T STOP THE C OF I: Anne Parker led a balanced C of I attack with ten kills, as the Lady Yotes stopped Corban 30-22, 30-17, 30-12 victory Friday in the J.A. Albertson Activities Center.  The No. 10 ranked C of I rebounded after a tough loss last Saturday at Southern Oregon to blast 53 kills and 13 aces in ending the Warriors four-game win streak and hand Corban their first road Cascade Conference loss of the year.  Parker had six kills in the Game 1 win, then saw her teammates break open an 18-16 score in Game 2 with a 12-1 push to close the game out.  Game 3 saw the Yotes open a 11-2 lead and cruise to the win.  Sarah Buhler had eight kills and six blocks in the win, with Kathryn Ely adding eight kills, and Katie Hogue, Kristin Henning, and Katie Zillner (Emmett, Idaho / Chicago State U.) all spiking seven balls.  Madie Machurek had 24 assists, seven digs, and six aces in the victory, with Catherine Everist leading the defense with 15 digs.  The Warriors got seven kills from Chelsea Reeher, but had more attack errors (24) than kills (23) in the loss.  Setter Amy Thompson had 19 assists in the loss for Corban.

 

CHANGES IN THE REGIONAL POLL: The ninth NAIA Region I Top-10 ranking was released on Monday, with the Lady Yotes maintaining their No. 1 spot in the region for the second-straight week.  Following The C of I is Southern Oregon, Lewis-Clark State, Westminster, and Montana Tech.  The bottom half of the poll has Oregon Tech, Great Falls, Rocky Mountain, Eastern Oregon, and Carroll battling for chances to play in the Region I Tournament.  The regional poll will be released each of the next two Monday’s.

 

NAIA POLL: With their loss to Southern Oregon on Oct. 20, the Lady Yotes dropped two spots in last week’s NAIA Top-25 poll, coming in at No. 10.  The C of I has now been ranked in the Top-25 in each of the last 21 rankings.  Nine teams the Yotes faced this season are in the Top-25 - No. 1 Fresno Pacific, No. 4 Biola, No. 5 National American, No. 8 Point Loma Nazarene, No. 14 Southern Oregon, No. 16 Vanguard, No. 21 Savannah A&D, No. 23 Lewis-Clark State, and No. 25 Westminster, with the Yotes going 4-6 in the ten matches.  The NAIA poll is released each Wednesday afternoon by the national office in Kansas City, Mo.

 

PREVIOUS NATIONAL POLLS: The Coyotes have been ranked in the Top-25 on 26 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 preseason poll and all 11 rankings during the 2006 season, the 2007 preseason poll., and the eight regular-season polls this season.  The C of I has been ranked as high as No. 6 in the poll, that coming during the 2007 preseason poll.

 

RECORD BOOK: Six Coyotes continued their climb up the career record book.  Katie Hogue ranks first all-time in blocks (526), fourth in kills (1,256), fifth in aces (170), and sixth games played (423).  Anne Parker is fourth all-time in blocks (365) and is ninth in kills (854), with Kathryn Ely now fifth on the all-time kills list (1,073).  Tiffany Sower (Eagle, Idaho / Eagle HS) is now fourth in all-time in aces (177) and in digs (1,143), while Catherine Everist is third all-time in digs (1,297).  Rounding out the list is the newest member, Kristin Henning, who is ninth in blocks (238) – while playing less than two years.

 

CONFERENCE / NATIONAL STATISTICS: As a team, the Yotes lead the CCC in aces per game (2.46) and blocks per game (3.08), are second in hitting percentage (.234), kills per game (14.44), and in assists per game (13.24), while they are fourth in digs per game (18.13) – while leading the loop in attack percentage, blocks, and aces in league-only counters.  Individually, Kristin Henning leads the league in both hitting percentage (.385) and blocks per game (1.72), while Katie Hogue ranks in the Top-10 in three categories – third in blocks (1.30), fourth in hitting percentage (.302), and ninth in aces (0.43).  Other Yotes in the Top-10 are Catherine Everist, who is No. 2 in digs (5.63), Sarah Buhler is No. 5 in blocks (1.15), Ashley Galeai (Nampa, Idaho / Skyview HS) is No. 4 in aces (0.48) and No. 5 in assists (7.52), and Anne Parker is No. 9 in blocks (0.98).  This season, the NAIA is compiling a weekly national statistical report, thanks to DakStats.  To read the national report, head to http://www.dakstats.com/WebSync/Pages/Team/TeamPage.aspx?association=10&sg=WVB&sea=NAIWVB_2007&team=1900..

 

FINAL ROAD TRIP OF REGULAR SEASON HEADS TO THE SEATTLE AREA: The Lady Yotes will complete the road portion of the 2007 season this weekend, as they make the long trek to the Seattle Metro area for a pair of CCC tilts.  Up first is Northwest, who brings a four-game win streak into Friday’s match.  The Eagles (7-11, 6-10 CCC) have played well on their home court this season, recording a 5-4 mark – thanks to the play of Lauren Holtz (3.6 k/g, 2.7 d/g), Laura Peterson (2.5 k/g), and Tarah Petrick (9.2 a/g, 2.3 d/g).  It is the 26th meeting between the teams, with The C of I holding a 20-5 series edge.  Saturday, the Yotes meet Evergreen State, trying to gut out one of the toughest seasons in league history.  The Geoducks (0-16, 0-16) have had to forfeit three matches due to lack of players and have forged on this season with just six players in uniform.  The struggling Evergreen attack, which has a negative .024 hitting percentage, is led by Kandice Gleaves (2.4 k/g, 2.0 d/g) and Sabrina Tan (2.1 k/g, 2.8 d/g).  The Yotes hold a 11-2 all-time series edge.

 

ABOUT THE COACH: Liz Mendiola is in her seventh season as The C of I head volleyball coach.  During her first six seasons at the helm, the Coyotes have advanced to six consecutive Cascade Conference tournaments, four NAIA regional tournaments, and back-to-back trips to the NAIA National Championships, amassing a record of 152-63, the most wins in school history.  Last season, she led the Lady Yotes to their best season in program history, compiling a 35-4 record - earning CCC and NAIA Region I Coach of the Year honors.  The C of I won their first Cascade Conference championship in 24 years, becoming just the second school to complete the league schedule without a loss.  The Coyotes also captured their second-straight CCC Tournament title, along with their second-straight NAIA Region I Tournament title, before placing ninth at the NAIA Championships.  Her team set a school-record with 22 straight wins and heads into the 2007 season with a 25-game home win streak and a 45-game win streak against non-ranked opponents, dating back to 2005.  Mendiola was an assistant for the Coyotes on two separate occasions – from 1995-96 and from 1999-2000, before elevating to head coach.  She has also coached club volleyball at Emmett High, for the Treasure Valley Volleyball Club, the Boise River Volleyball Club, and various camps in the Northwest. A native of Jerome, Mendiola graduated from The C of I in 1996 with a degree in elementary education, and taught kindergarten in Nampa before becoming head coach in 2001. A two-year member of the Coyotes, Mendiola set school records for kills per game (4.86) in 1994, and holds the school mark for kills per game in a career (4.46).  She earned All-CCC honors following her senior season with the Yotes. Mendiola is married to former Coyote baseball standout and current C of I softball coach Al Mendiola.  The Mendiola’s have two children, Aleah and Micah, and live in Caldwell.

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION: For more information on The C of I volleyball program, head to the official homepage of the Lady Yotes, www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/vball.htm.

 

 

CROSS COUNTRY: Yotes set to finish regular season at the NAIA Region I Championships

 

COMING UP: at NAIA Region I Championships, Olympia, Wash. – Saturday, 10 a.m.

 

IT ALL COMES DOWN TO REGIONALS: Three long months of running culminates this Saturday morning in Olympia, Wash., as each of the Northwest’s NAIA schools gather for the Region I Championships.  The 11 Cascade Conference teams will be joined by five Frontier Conference teams, along with a pair of Canadian independents, to battle for spots at the NAIA Championships on Nov. 17.

 

WHAT’S AT STAKE: The men’s and women’s team and individual champions will earn automatic berths to the NAIA Championships.  However, with a Top-4 finish, teams have a legitimate shot at earning an at-large berth to Nationals.  Also, the Top-5 individual finishers in each gender on a team not qualifying for the NAIA Meet, will earn an at-large spot to Nationals.

 

SIZING UP THE MEN’S FIELD: On paper, it seems as if it is a two-horse race.  Both Eastern Oregon and Lewis-Clark State have been ranked in the NAIA Top-10 most of the season, but met only once, with L-C nipping EOU by seven points at the Willamette Invitational.  Southern Oregon will try to get in the mix, as will the Yotes, Simon Fraser, and British Columbia – as those four teams vie for possible at-large berths to Nationals.

 

SIZING UP THE WOMEN’S FIELD: Two words size up the women’s field – Simon Fraser.  The top-ranked Clan are not only the class of the Region I, they are the class of the entire NAIA, having won back-to-back NAIA national titles.  Fellow Canadians, British Columbia, comes into the meet ranked seventh in the NAIA and are the odds-on pick to finish second.  Four teams will battle for one or two possible at-large spots to Nationals – as Lewis-Clark State, Eastern Oregon, the Lady Yotes, and Corban are all tightly packed.  EOU defeated the Coyotes by three points at the Cascade Conference Championships, while L-C defeated the Yotes by just seven points at the Bob Firman Invite in September.

 

THE COURSE: Luckily for the competitors, the weather has cooperated in the Evergreen State over the past week, as the campus course in Olympia has recovered from a deluge three weeks ago during the Pete Steilberg Open.  The course is a mix of grass, dirt running trails, and a short, steep hill – all on The Evergreen State College campus.

 

REGIONAL POLLS: The second to last NAIA Region I Top-10 rankings were released with The C of I men in the No. 4 spot, with the women sitting at No. 5.  Lewis-Clark State tops the men’s poll, followed by Eastern Oregon, Southern Oregon, the Yotes, and Simon Fraser.  Corban, British Columbia, Northwest, Carroll, and Evergreen State round out the Top-10.  Nationally, L-C is ranked eighth, EOU ninth, SOU 15th, and the Yotes at No. 23.  Simon Fraser leads the women’s race, followed by British Columbia, Lewis-Clark State, Eastern Oregon, and the Lady Yotes.  The bottom five have Corban, Northwest, Carroll, Oregon Tech, and Evergreen State battling for position.  Nationally, Simon Fraser is ranked No. 1, UBC ranked No. 7, L-C ranked No. 16, Eastern at No. 17, and the Lady Yotes at No. 20.  The final NAIA regional poll is set to be released on Nov. 3, with the final NAIA rankings to be released on Nov. 5.

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION: For more information on The C of I cross country program, head to the official homepage of the Yotes, www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/xc.htm.

 

WOMEN’S SOCCER: Season Review

 

LAST WEEK: at Concordia (L 6-1 – Cascade Conference Semifinal)

 

COYOTES LOSE SEMIFINAL AT CONCORDIA: A six-goal flurry in the second half propelled Concordia University to a 6-1 Cascade Conference Tournament victory over The College of Idaho Wednesday afternoon in Camas, Wash.  The Cavaliers erased a C of I 1-0 halftime lead during the first minute of the second half, then scored four goals in an eight minute span midway through the period to put the game away.

 

IF THE GAME WAS ONLY 45 MINUTES: The Lady Yotes did do what no other CCC did this season – score a goal on Concordia, as Amanda Barrieau (Eagle, Idaho / Eagle HS) slotted home a goal in the first half.  In fact, it was the first time The C of I had led against the eight-time defending loop champion in over a decade.  It was the first goal allowed by CU since September 7 – ending a 1,099 minute scoreless streak and was the first time they had trailed in regulation since August 25.

 

NO LUCK IN GETTING TO REGIONALS: Despite a 9-7-3 record, the Coyotes did not earn a spot in the NAIA Region I Tournament, set for this coming weekend in Helena, Mont.  Concordia and Oregon Tech, whom CU defeated 4-0 in the loop title game, will join host Carroll College and Simon Fraser in the event. 

 

LADY YOTES RECORD WINNING RECORD: Over the 19 year history of the Lady Yote women’s soccer program, finishes above the .500 mark have been few and far between – so the success of the 2007 squad is phenomenal.  With the 9-7-3 record, The C of I has recorded  a winning record for the first time in 12 years, and just the third time in program history.  The first Coyote squad recorded an 8-3 record, while the 1995 team had a 3-1-4 mark.  Both the 1992 and 1993 teams finished at the .500 mark.  Also, the nine wins by the Yotes are the second-most wins by a C of I team – with the 2002 club that finished 10-11 earning more.

 

BIG WINS DOT 2007 SEASON: Quality wins were the story for the Coyotes in 2007 – including an early-season road victory against Rocky Mountain, the Yotes first-ever road sweep of Oregon Tech and Southern Oregon, and C of I’s second-straight win over rival Corban.  The biggest decision of the season, however, was a 0-0 draw against two-time NAIA champion, Simon Fraser, their first-ever point against a nationally ranked team.

 

ROACH FINISHES THIRD ALL-TIME IN GOALS: With her game winning goal against Cascade in the CCC Quarterfinals, Leah Roach (Boise, Idaho / Timberline HS) moved alone into third-place on the all-time goals scored list.  The senior finished with 18 goals in her C of I career, trailing only Kristine Jones (Halter), who had with 30 goals from 1990-93, while Becky Robertson is in the No. 2 spot, scoring 27 goals during the 2001 and 2002 seasons.

 

RHOADES SETS GOALIE RECORD: Despite missing the final few weeks of the season, keeper Amy Rhoades (Eagle, Idaho / Dixie State Coll.) was able to establish a new Lady Yote record.  Rhoades recorded the lowest goals against average in program history, limiting opponents to 0.74 goals a game – topping the record of 0.85 set in 1995.

 

COYOTES SET SHUTOUT RECORD: The Yotes also established a new school record for shutouts in a season with seven.  The 2007 club broke the previous record of six, set by the 1993 and 2006 teams. 

 

TIES GALORE: With three draws this season, the Lady Yotes equaled the 1990 team for the second-most ties in a season.  Only the 1995 season, in which The C of I played even on four occasions, saw the Coyotes record more draws.  That season was also the last time the Yotes had a winning overall record, as The C of I went 3-1-4.

 

SENIORS CLOSE OUT CAREERS: Six C of I senior student-athletes played in the final games of their careers against Concordia on Wednesday.  Nikki Anderson (Citrus Heights, Calif. / Sierra CC) returned from injury to play against CU and finished her career seeing action in 20 games, scoring two goals and recording two assists, while former junior college teammate Ryann Lagomarsino (Fair Oaks, Calif. / Sierra CC) played in her 33rd and final game, finishing with one goal and four assists as a Lady Yote.  The remaining players were four-year seniors – Leah Roach playing in 69 career games, scoring 18 goals and nine assists, while Jennifer Phillips (Ontario, Ore. / Ontario HS) playing in 56 matches, scoring two goals and one assist.  Katie Ball (Boise, Idaho / Boise HS) finished her career with 65 games played, scoring four goals with three assists, with Laura Fink (Boise, Idaho / Centennial HS) playing in 68 games, scoring six goals and four assists.  The four-year seniors had an amazing run – starting their career with a 1-16 record, and closing it with back-to-back playoff appearances.

 

QUALITY PLAYERS RETURNING FOR 2008: A great nucleus returns for the Lady Yotes in 2008, as 12 players with extensive starting experience will be back on the pitch.  The defense will be led by juniors Martine Troy (Ogden, Utah / Judge Memorial HS), Kat Becker (Salt Lake City, Utah / Judge Memorial) and freshman Melissa Garrison (Boise, Idaho / Borah HS), with the midfield loaded with returners – juniors Allie Dufault (Irvine, Calif. / University HS) and Emily Dickerson (Nampa, Idaho / Vallivue HS), sophomore Mandy Greif (Payette, Idaho / Payette HS), and freshmen Colleen Smith (Boise, Idaho / Boise HS), and Brittney Hulin (Eagle, Idaho / Eagle HS).  Keepers Amy Rhoades and Sadie Hughes (Courtenay, B.C. / Vanier SS) are back, as are strikers Amanda Barrieau and Jamie Reichel (Boise, Idaho / Capital HS).

 

ABOUT THE COACH: Niki Taylor just completed her second season has head coach of The C of I women's program and has an overall record of 15-17-5 – with the 15 wins the second-most in school history. In her first season with the Coyotes, she helped to their fourth-ever postseason berth, losing the Evergreen State, 2-1, in the Cascade Conference playoffs.  A graduate of Truman State University in Kirksville, Mo., Taylor was an honorable mention all-conference player for the Bulldogs in 1999 and 2000, helping the squad to an NCAA Division II regional championships.  She went on to assist coach Mike Cannon during the 2001 season, helping TSU to the regional finals, then moved West, where she was an assistant for Steve Lucas at Boise State for three seasons.  She has also been involved with the Les Bois United Soccer Club for the past four years, while serving as a head coach in the Idaho Olympic Development Program.  Taylor has received her USSF "B" Coaching License.

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION: For more information on The C of I women’s soccer program, head to the official homepage of the Lady Yotes, www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/wmenssoccer.htm.

 

MEN’S SOCCER: Season Review

 

LAST WEEK: vs. Warner Pacific (L 3-2), vs. No. 24 Concordia (L 1-0)

  

YOTES MISS OUT ON PLAYOFFS: With playoff destiny in their own hands, The College of Idaho men’s soccer team was unable to come through in the final week of the regular-season, dropping a tough 3-2 decision to Warner Pacific and a hard-fought 1-0 loss to Concordia, eliminating themselves from the postseason race.  Against WP, the Yotes spotted the Knights a 3-0 lead at the 50-minute mark, but battled back in the final 20 minutes.  Scott Ward (Rexburg, Idaho / Madison HS) capped his C of I career with a left-footed goal to get the Yotes on board, with Kazuki Murata (Tokyo, Japan / Ichiritu HS) knocking home a rebound with ten minutes left to get the hosts within one.  However, the Yotes could not get closer.  Saturday versus Concordia, The C of I saw the league champion Cavaliers dominate statistically, holding a 27-9 edge in shots, including a 12-1 edge in shots on goal – but kept them out of the net until the 88th minute, when Joe Givens got behind the Yote defense and slotted home the winner.  Both CU and Warner, along with Simon Fraser and Westminster will comprise the Region I Tournament, beginning Friday in Camas, Wash.

 

C OF I FARED WELL IN PRESEASON: The highlight of the season was the play of the Yotes during the four preseason games, as The C of I went 3-1.  The Coyotes earned 4-3 victories against both Olivet Nazarene and Whitman, while blanking a quality Biola squad, 4-0.  The lone loss was a 3-0 decision to Westminster in the season opener.  The Purple and Gold also had a five-game win streak late in the year, including a key 2-1 road win at Corban, to put them in position for a playoff spot.

 

MISSING THE PLAYOFFS: After qualifying for the postseason for five-straight years from 1999-2003, the Yotes have now missed the playoffs three of the last four seasons.  That may change next season, as the Cascade Conference Tournament will be reinstated – with six of the nine teams in the league (Oregon Tech will begin men’s soccer next season) qualifying for the playoffs.  The winner of the CCC Tourney will earn an automatic berth to the NAIA Championships.

 

SENIORS CAP STELLAR CAREERS: Last weekend’s games ended the careers of five C of I senior student-athletes.  Michael Delgado (Caldwell, Idaho / Vallivue HS) shook off a knee injury to see action against Concordia, finishing his four-year career with 63 games played, scoring 18 goals and assisting on 18 others.  Scott Ward finished his career playing in 59 games, scoring ten goals with three assists, while Cameron Johnson (Eagle,