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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Vandals Close To Another Big Sky Volleyball Crown

Idaho can secure its third straight Big Sky Conference volleyball title by sweeping two matches this weekend.

The 23rd-rated Vandals, 9-1 in conference and 21-4 overall, entertain Northern Arizona (7-4, 11-8) tonight and Weber State (4-7, 14-10) on Saturday. Both are 7:30 matches at Memorial Gym in Moscow.

If Idaho wins tonight and Idaho State defeats Montana, the Vandals clinch.

“Our kids are playing pretty well right now,” coach Tom Hilbert said.

If Idaho wins the Sky, it will play host to the league’s postseason tournament on Friday, Nov. 17, and Saturday, Nov. 18, in Moscow. The Vandals have won three straight tourney titles.

Nieman honored

Senior Alli Nieman, who led Sandpoint High to its second straight State A-1 volleyball title last Saturday, has been named the Inland Empire League’s player of the year.

Nieman was joined on the first team by teammates Tiwi Bond and Stacey Moline, Coeur d’Alene’s Angie Shirley and Kimi Towery, Lewiston’s Andrea Gomez and Lake City’s Jenny Owen.

Tarra Thomson and Heidi Umthun of Post Falls, Lake City’s Natalie Telford, Lewiston’s Laura Bloom, Coeur d’Alene’s Jessica Janke and Sandpoint’s Tanya Allmaras were named to the second team.

Cards soar to nationals

The North Idaho College women’s cross country team has received an at-large berth in the national junior college championships.

NIC, ranked No. 8, placed third at the Region 18 meet last weekend in Spokane. The Cardinals were granted one of four at-large berths for nationals on Saturday, Nov. 11, in Alfred, N.Y.

NIC’s men are hoping for an atlarge invitation as well.

NIC, alumni grapple

The North Idaho College wrestling program will hold its annual alumni match tonight.

The match, featuring some of NIC’s All Americans and former national champions, starts at 7:30.

NIC unofficially opened its season Wednesday with its annual intrasquad match. If early returns are any indication, the Cardinals will make a run at their 11th national title.

Sophomore Bob Presta at 142 pounds, transfer Mark Janke at 158, sophomore Seth Kernodle at 167 and sophomore Orlando Jordan at 190 are some of the top current Cards.

, DataTimes