Eastern chases a title

Eastern Washington University has already accomplished one goal: Securing a top-two finish in the Big Sky regular season. That gives EWU a first-round bye at next week’s conference tournament.

Several other objectives are within reach. The Eagles can claim no worse than a share of the Big Sky title with a victory at Sacramento State on Friday. A win would also square EWU’s conference road record at 4-4. The Eagles had a chance at a co-Big Sky title a year ago, but lost to visiting Sacramento State in the regular-season finale.

“We have put ourselves in good position, that’s what we’ve done so far, but we have to take care of the rest of it,” head coach Miles Kydd said. “You kind of have signposts as you go along. We’ve been trying to get better on the road. One of our signposts is .500 on the road and we’re not there yet.”

No, but the Eagles made a big road statement last Saturday with a three-game sweep at Portland State to forge a tie at the top of the Sky. Both teams are 11-4, but EWU owns the tiebreaker because it swept PSU. The Vikings play at Sacramento State on Saturday.

Regardless of the outcomes this weekend, the conference tournament will be held at Portland State’s Stott Center next weekend.

NIC draws Miami-Dade

North Idaho College, making its third trip to the NJCAA tournament in five years, is seeded 10th and opens against No. 7 Miami-Dade on Thursday in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

First-year coach Chris Kosty directed NIC to the Region 18 tournament title, knocking off top-seeded Salt Lake on the Bruins’ home floor. Marketa Hanzlova, a 6-foot-1 freshman outside hitter from the Czech Republic, was the conference player of the year and Region 18 tournament MVP.

Salt Lake rebounded to win a play-in match and the 11th-seeded Bruins will face Missouri State University-West Plains in the opening round.

NIC’s highest finish at nationals was fourth in 2006. Miami-Dade won NJCAA titles 2001, 2002 and 2004. The Sharks were second in 2000, 2005 and 2007.

Idaho faces tough road

The Vandals have won 18 matches, their most since 2003, and they won 11 conference matches, their most since 1996. Still, Idaho probably has to win the WAC tournament if it plans on playing in the NCAA tournament.

Head coach Debbie Buchanan doesn’t believe her team has done enough to warrant an NCAA at-large berth.

“I would say our one sure chance is to win the (WAC) tournament because we’ve had a couple bad losses and we haven’t had a significant win,” said Buchanan, who guided Idaho to the 2003 and 2004 NCAA tournaments.

The third-seeded Vandals open against No. 6 Nevada on Thursday in Honolulu. If Idaho wins, it will probably face No. 6-ranked Hawaii in the semifinals. The winner of that match will likely see co-WAC champ New Mexico State in the finals.

Hawaii has won the last eight WAC tournaments. The Rainbow Wahine are 262-29 all-time at home.

“It’s going to be tough, but it’s doable,” Buchanan said. “But we can’t overlook Nevada.”

Notes

Washington State entertains No. 5 Washington at 8 p.m. Friday. The Cougars will honor four seniors – Brittany Johnson, Emily Rooney, Amy Small and Stephanie Weishaar – prior to the match. … Gonzaga closes the regular season with a home match against Portland at 1 p.m. Saturday. … CC Spokane faces Whatcom in the first round of the 16-team NWAACC tournament Thursday in Gresham, Ore. … EWU’s Hayley Hills ranks 10th nationally in kills per set (4.49). She has 12 straight matches with 10 or more kills and she’s six away from 1,000 career kills. Idaho’s Haley Larsen is 11th in kills per set (4.47).