Vandals Scream Into Big Sky Volleyball Finals Yanchulova Provides Voice, Muscle As Idaho Overcomes Boise State

Idaho volleyball player Tzvetelina “Lina” Yanchulova could barely speak English when she arrived from Bulgaria in 1992.

These days, the Vandals senior could join the debate team.

During intermission after a sluggish second game, Yanchulova gave an impassioned speech to her teammates and UI responded by dusting Boise State 15-10, 9-15, 15-2, 15-2 in the Big Sky Conference Tournament semifinals on Friday night.

The victory, viewed by a season-high crowd of 1,387 at Memorial Gym, stretched Idaho’s home winning streak to 45 matches. UI hasn’t lost at home since Yanchulova was a freshman in 1992.

“The first person who got vocal was Lina,” UI coach Tom Hilbert said. “I think that got a lot of people’s attention because they respect her.”

Asked the content of her speech, Yanchulova replied: “General screaming, and a little wisdom.”

Whatever works.

Idaho (26-4) aims for its fourth consecutive tournament title when it takes on Idaho State at 7:30 tonight. The winner earns an automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament, though Idaho likely would receive an at-large bid if it were upset.

ISU (19-9) defeated Northern Arizona (12-11) 15-5, 6-15, 15-11, 15-12.

After splitting the first two games with BSU, Idaho shored up its passing to fuel its offensive attack. Idaho hit .563 and .270 in the third and fourth games, respectively.

Yanchulova finished with a team-high 21 kills, but UI’s attack was balanced as freshman Jessica Moore had 15 kills and junior Louisa Kawulok had 13.

“We kept running the same (slide) set every time to Jessica,” said junior setter Lynne Hyland, who had 57 assists.

Kawulok, the primary target of BSU servers, rebounded from spotty passing in the first two games.

“When we pass well, it makes it easier on everybody,” Yanchulova said.

BSU coach Darlene Bailey said her team had a split personality. “We played very good defensively,” said Bailey, whose club finished 17-12. “Offensively we struggled.”

Idaho sprinted into a 11-1 lead in the third game on Moore’s spike. Freshman Beth Craig eventually nailed the gamewinner.

The fourth game followed the pattern of the third. Craig’s kill put UI up 8-1. Consecutive aces by sophomore Kyle Leonard moved the lead to 11-2 and Yanchulova’s kill ended the Broncos’ season.

“The people who watch us here just believe in us,” Yanchulova said of the intense atmosphere in Memorial Gym. “They think it’s fate.”

Added Hyland: “Our crowd’s the best.”

In defeating Northern Arizona, Idaho State rolled behind Kathy Goods’ 18 kills and Tammy Coates’ 17.

UI’s main worries with ISU are the Bengals’ fine defense and fast-paced offensive attack, Hilbert said.

NWAACC tournament

In Gresham, Ore., Lori Peters had 13 kills and 22 digs as the Community Colleges of Spokane rallied to defeat Clackamas 12-15, 15-4, 15-9, 15-7 in the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges quarterfinals.

The Sasquatch will play Columbia Basin College today, with the winner advancing to the conference championship match.

In the first round, Kaya Allen had eight kills and Cheryl Hovde added 17 assists as CCS swept Lower Columbia Community College 15-6, 15-5, 15-5.

, DataTimes