NIC loses in national semifinal
Top-seeded Western Nebraska defeated North Idaho College 30-16, 30-18, 30-19 Tuesday in the semifinals of the National Junior College Athletic Association volleyball tournament at West Plains, Mo.
Cintia Alessi had seven kills and 12 digs for the fourth-seeded Cardinals (36-7), who will meet No. 2 Missouri State University-West Plains today for third place. Western Nebraska will meet No. 3 Iowa Western for the title.
Alessi had 19 kills and 20 digs as NIC began the day with a sweep of Hutchinson. Konae Purcell added 12 kills.
“University of Idaho senior middle blocker Erin Curtis, who had double-digit kills in 14 matches this season, was named to the all-Western Athletic Conference volleyball first team, the conference announced.
Senior setter Saxony Brown, senior libero Stacy Sode and sophomore outside hitter Haley Larsen were named to the second team for the Vandals.
UI middle blocker Debbie Pederson made the all-WAC freshman team.
Third-seeded Idaho (11-17) opens WAC tournament play at 2:30 p.m. today in Reno, Nev., against No. 6 Utah State (13-18).
No. 8 Fresno State (5-23) and No. 9 Louisiana Tech (6-27) open the tournament at 9:30. The winner will play top-seeded Hawaii (23-5) at 7:30 p.m.
Other tourney openers are No. 7 Boise State (13-16) vs. No. 2 New Mexico State (31-2) at noon, and No. 4 Nevada (15-14) against No. 5 San Jose State (18-11) at 5 p.m.
“Junior setter Heather Dunn and junior outside hitter Becky Jones of Gonzaga were named honorable mention on the all-West Coast Conference team.
The Bulldogs finished their season last Saturday 9-20 overall and 4-10 in conference.
San Diego captured the big awards, with senior outside hitter Kristen Carlson named Most Valuable Player and Brent Hilliard named Coach of the Year.
Girls basketball
Katie Poston scored 17 points, and she and Becky Lowther hit back-to-back 3-pointers for a six-point lead in the fourth quarter, as Bonners Ferry (1-1) posted a 55-43 non-league win over host Lakeland at Rathdrum.
Natalie Nichols totaled 14 points and five steals for the Hawks (0-2).
“Samantha Siron scored 13 points, including two 3-pointers, and Darbie Shelden hit four late free throws as St. Maries (2-1) held off visiting Potlatch 46-41.