Dotson, Eagles All Smiles Over Volleyball Season

The signature dimples on Jaime Dotson’s cheeks probably have never been more visible. Constant smiling, which comes from winning, will do that.

Dotson and the Eastern Washington volleyball team are on their way to the Big Sky Conference Tournament for the first time since 1990. The prize: an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament that begins Dec. 4.

“It’s very attainable,” said Dotson, one of three seniors on the team, when exploring the possibility of winning the tournament. “It’s kind of scary. But it’s really exciting.”

The Eagles finished the regular-conference schedule with a 9-7 record, winning seven of their last nine conference matches to claim third place. They are 16-11 overall and open play today at 5 p.m. against No. 6 Northern Arizona (13-16), a team they defeated in four games and five games this season.

If the Eagles win their first two matches, No. 2 Sacramento State (22-9) will be next, a team Eastern beat in three games and lost to in five. Cal State Northridge (20-9, the No. 1 seed and host, would be the final test in Saturday’s title match. The Matadors beat the Eagles in four and five games earlier this year.

This is Dotson’s fourth year on the team, but her first as a right side hitter. She was moved from setter to hitter at the start of the season, relinquishing the job to sophomore Toni Schwinn (770 assists) and freshman Kim Maxwell (469).

“I was surprised. But I was willing to give it a try,” Dotson said. “And I just asked if it didn’t work out that we could just be honest.”

Dotson adjusted and has 141 digs (.123 hitting percentage) to show for it. Kim Exner, who was selected to the Big Sky Conference first-team, leads the team with 471 kills (.237 percentage).

“This is the first year we had a lot of leadership,” explained senior defensive specialist Tiffaney Schwinn, older sister of Toni. The team’s only other senior is reserve ride side hitter Katrina Carlson.

Added Dotson: “This year we took the kind of the leadership role as the seniors and we did it as a group.”

UI heads to Big West Tournament

The University of Idaho enters its first Big West Tournament beginning Saturday riding a three-match winning streak. However, the Eastern Division winners travel to host team University of Santa Barbara hampered by injuries.

Middle blocker Jemena Yocum, who replaced Louisa Kawulok when she went down with a season-ending knee injury, has been slowed by an ankle injury. Outside hitter Beth Craig has been bothered by a hip injury.

The Eastern Division No. 1 Vandals (24-5), face Western Division No. 4 Cal Poly-SLO (14-15). Idaho beat the Mustangs 15-12, 15-4, 15-13 in October.

The winner will face Western Division No. 2 Pacific (21-5) at 6 p.m. Sunday. Pacific is ranked No. 13 in the USA Today/AVCA Top 25 poll and defeated Idaho 15-8, 15-9, 15-9 in conference play.

The championship match, which is expected to involve Western Division No. 1 Long Beach State (28-1), is Monday at 7:30 p.m. The 49ers are ranked No. 6 nationally and were taken to a rare four games by Idaho in a conference match earlier this month in Idaho. The tournament winner earns an automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament.

Cougars close out Pac-10 season

No. 12-ranked Washington State will play host to No. 17 Washington Friday at 7:30 p.m. The match will decide sole possession of second place in the conference.

WSU enters 22-5 overall, 13-4 in the Pac-10. The Huskies are 22-6, 12-5 and beat the Cougars earlier this year in three games at Seattle. UW holds a 35-14 edge in the series and has won the last five of seven meetings.

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