‘Yote Notes – November 19, 2001

(To subscribe to ‘Yotes Notes, email Mike Safford at msafford@albertson.edu or call 459-5681)

 

 

VOLLEYBALL:              Season ending record of 18-13

 

LAST WEEK: At NAIA Region I Tournament – Lost to Carroll (3-2), Lost to Southern Oregon (3-0) – finished in fifth place.

 

2001 SEASON ENDS IN MONTANA: Helena, Montana is definitely not the place the Lady ‘Yotes wanted to finish the 2001 volleyball season, but that is the way the ball bounced.  Albertson, which was the final qualifier to the NAIA regional, took No. 2 seed and host Carroll College to the brink on Thursday night, losing a five-game marathon.  On Friday, Southern Oregon continued its dominance over the Lady ‘Yotes, dispatching the crew in three games.

 

RECORDS BROKEN: Although the ladies did not make a return to the NAIA National Tournament, they did a nice job eclipsing school records.  Kristyn Price recorded 508 kills and a 4.54 kill per game average, both second on the single-season list.  Carly Merkel recorded 1356 assists (12.0 average), the third-highest single-season mark.  Katy Tipton’s .320 attack percentage was third-best all-time, while Laura Solberg had the third-most service aces in a season with 58.  As a team, the Lady ‘Yotes tied a school record with 17 aces against Northwest College.

 

ATTENDANCE MARK BROKEN: Albertson led the Cascade Conference in attendance, averaging 216 fans per game.  Overall in the 13 home matches, the Lady ‘Yotes packed 2,812 fans into the Activities Center, the highest total in school history.

 

DOUBLE TROUBLE: Along with her single-season records, Kristyn Price also recorded three 20-20 matches this season (20+ kills, 20+ digs).  Over her three years in Canyon County, Price has ten 20-20 matches.  Next year, she will once again shoot for the illusive 30-30 club, where only Miranda Harris has went (31 kills and 36 digs vs. Western Baptist in 1995).

 

OFFICIAL WEBSITE: www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/vball.htm

 

 

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL:       2-1

 

LAST WEEK: At UC Santa Cruz Tournament – defeated Westmont (58-53), defeated Linfield (53-44).

 

UP NEXT: At University of Utah, Tuesday, 5 p.m.; Host Best Inn and Suites Lady ‘Yote Classic – vs. Whitman, Friday, 7 p.m.; vs. Great Falls, Saturday, 2 p.m.

 

LADY ‘YOTES TAKE ‘SLUGS TOURNAMENT: On the road in Santa Cruz, the Albertson women not only enjoyed their time in the California sun, but found time to win back-to-back games, claiming the championship trophy at the Banana Slug Tournament, hosted by UC Santa Cruz.  In the opener, Albertson used solid foul shooting to get past undefeated Westmont, 58-53.  Jeannie Thompson led the Coyotes with 18 points and ten rebounds, with Heidi Goicoechea adding 17.  In the championship game against Linfield, defense was the key.  The Wildcats shot just 29-percent in the second stanza as Albertson erased a five-point halftime deficit.  Megan Henrichs led the victors with 12 points, with Thompson adding ten.

 

A “W” FOR ROSSI: With the win against Westmont, first-year Albertson head coach Reagan Rossi picked up her first win as a collegiate coach.

 

THROUGH THREE GAMES: Albertson is shooting (65-for-173) .376 percent from the field, (14-for-41) .341 percent from outside the arc, and (54-for-68) .794 from the foul line.  Senior Jeannie Thompson leads the squad with a 14.3 points a game and 9.3 rebounds per game.

 

TOUGH TASK AHEAD: The ‘Yotes travel Tuesday to the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City, Utah to take on the University of Utah, an NCAA Division I foe.  The Lady Utes (1-1) are currently ranked No. 24 in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll and are coming off a season in which they advanced to the “Sweet Sixteen”, losing to eventual national champion Notre Dame in the regional semifinals.  This weekend, the Coyotes host the annual Lady ‘Yote Classic, sponsored by the Caldwell Best Inn and Suites.  Albertson meets Whitman (0-0) on Friday, and Great Falls (2-3) on Saturday.

 

INTERNET BROADCAST OF TUESDAY’S GAME AT UTAH: Tuesday’s game at Utah will be broadcast live along the Wasatch Front on KALL 910-AM.  Fans in the Treasure Valley can pick up the broadcast via the internet at www.kall910.com and click on “listen live”.  Gametime is set for 5 p.m.

 

OFFICIAL WEBSITE: www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/wmensbasketball.htm

 

 

MEN’S BASKETBALL:       7-1

 

LAST WEEK: Lost at Boise State (80-53); defeated Prairie Bible (98-55); defeated Rocky Mountain (83-78).

 

THIS WEEK: Host Pro-Hoops Australia (exhibition game), Monday, 7:30 p.m.; host Cal-State Stanislaus, Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.; host Northwest Nazarene (at Idaho Center), Saturday, 7:30 p.m.

 

LONG WEEK FOR ‘YOTES: Coming off of three straight games in Utah, the Coyotes had three more, this time in the Valley.  Tuesday, Albertson ended a five-game winning streak by dropping an 80-53 decision at NCAA Division I Boise State.  The Broncos jumped out to a 12-0 lead in the first five minutes and were never threatened.  Neal Robertson led ACI with 18 points, with Tennison Tripple contributing 14 points in his first game back following a bout with illness.  The ‘Yotes got the ship righted on Friday night, routing Prairie Bible 98-55.  13 different players got into the scoring act, as Robertson and Kris Cox shared high-point honors with 16 points apiece.  Ty Shaw added his third double-double of the year with 11 points and 13 rebounds, in just 22 minutes of action.  Saturday, the ‘Yotes made it 2-for-2 on their home floor, stopping Rocky Mountain 83-78.  Robertson led five Albertson players in double figures with 22 points, with Tripple chipping in 20.

 

SHAW INJURED: Senior Ty Shaw, an honorable mention NAIA All-American last season, was injured five minutes into Saturday’s game with Rocky Mountain.  The initial diagnosis was an apparent knee injury to the 6-7 standout.  At press time, a confirmation of his injury from the team doctor had not been given.  Shaw will not play Monday in the exhibition game against Pro-Hoops Australia.

 

FRONTIER CONFERENCE CHAMPS?: Of the Coyotes seven wins this season, five of them have been against Frontier Conference teams.  Of the eight teams in the NAIA Division I conference, Albertson will face six of them on the season.  With victories over Great Falls, Montana-Western, Westminster, Carroll, and Rocky Mountain, only Lewis-Clark State (12/7) stands in the way of a clean sweep.

 

THROUGH EIGHT GAMES: Albertson is shooting (217-for-457) .475 percent from the field, (69-for-173) .399 percent from three-point range, and (154-for-199) .774 percent from the free throw line.  Neal Robertson leads five ‘Yote players averaging in double figures with a 17.8 points per game clip.

 

AUSSIES, SURFERS, TURKEY, AND ‘SADERS: Another long week looms ahead for the men’s squad.  First up is an exhibition game with the Pro-Hoops Australia All-Stars on Monday.  The Aussies picked up a 97-79 victory at Eastern Oregon on Saturday and will prove to be a formidable challenge for Albertson.  Wednesday, Cal-State Stanislaus (2-0) comes calling on Caldwell.  The Warriors, and NCAA Division II opponent from the California Colleges Athletic Association opened the season with wins over CSU-Monterey Bay and Bethany.  Saturday is the annual clash with rival Northwest Nazarene at the Idaho Center.  NNU (1-1) opened the season at the Seattle Pacific Vitamilk Classic, defeating Lock Haven (Penn.), but lost to the University of Indianapolis.

 

MORE ON CANYON COUNTY SHOWDOWN: The game at the Idaho Center is sponsored by United Heritage and is been held in conjunction with NNU’s homecoming weekend.  Tickets for the game can be purchased in the Albertson athletic office or at any Select-a-Seat location.  Ticket prices are $20.00 for coaches’ row seats, $7.00 for adults, $4.00 for seniors and student without ID’s, $2.00 for students with ID’s.

 

ON THE AIR: All 32 Albertson regular-season games will be broadcast live on 1490 KCID-AM, the “Home of the Coyotes.”  Mike Safford Jr. will call the action, beginning 15-minutes prior to tip-off.

 

OFFICIAL WEBSITE: www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/mensbasketball.htm