Roundup: Whits star suffers a sprained ankle

Whitworth standout running back Adam Anderson is questionable for the Pirates’ home football opener Saturday after suffering a sprained ankle on the opening kickoff against La Verne last weekend.

Anderson underwent medical tests Tuesday and the diagnosis was actually a relief for the Pirates. There had been concern that Anderson suffered a serious Achilles tendon injury and might be lost for the season. As it is, Anderson will be a game-time decision for Saturday’s game against Redlands at the Pine Bowl. Whitworth’s Northwest Conference opener is Oct. 3 against defending champion Willamette.

Anderson, the 2007 and 2008 NWC offensive player of the year, was second-team All-America last season after leading NCAA Division III in all-purpose yards at 243.8 per game. Backup running back Milton Nelson missed part of Saturday’s game with a shoulder injury and cramps, but he returned to practice Tuesday.

• Zack Clow, a Whitworth junior from Blanchard, Idaho, is the NWC special teams player of the week after his punting and kicking helped the Pirates win field possession in a 21-9 win at La Verne, Calif. He averaged 39.7 yards on three punts and 54 yards on four kickoffs.

Volleyball

Non-conference: Brittany Tillman had 12 kills and visiting Washington State hit a blistering .379 in a 25-10, 25-15, 25-20 sweep of Gonzaga. The Cougars improved to 11-0, the best record for WSU since opening the 2002 Elite Eight season 11-0.

Michelle Boevers led the Bulldogs (3-7) with nine kills.

Men’s golf

Palouse Classic: Led by co-medalist Kevin Tucker, host Washington State won the tournament title by four strokes over San Jose State. Tucker and Boise State’s Blake Brown tied for first with 54-hole scores of 208. UC Davis’ Austin Graham shot a 65 to tie the Palouse Ridge course record.

Idaho, led by Brad Tensen’s 71-218, placed fourth; Jason Azzarito shot 71-223 as Gonzaga placed ninth; and Corey Meyers’ 72-221 led Community Colleges of Spokane, which was 10th in the 12-school field.

Women’s golf

Bulldog and Eagle Invitational: Gonzaga freshman Victoria Fallgren shattered the school record by firing a 67 at Hangman Valley to win medalist honors in her collegiate debut. Her 54-hole total of 217 set a new mark for lowest three-round score.

Teammate Sage Suffecool, who tied the school record Monday with a 70, finished tied for second at 221.

•Ptarmigan Ram Fall Classic: Idaho opened its season with a four-stroke win in the 16-team event in Fort Collins, Colo. Sophomore Kayla Mortellaro tied for third at 6-under 210 for 54 holes. Sophomore Teo Poplawski, who shot 65 Monday, shot 71 and took fifth place.

UI’s team score was 5-under 859.

Men’s soccer

Chris Shaw, Puget Sound junior midfielder from Coeur d’Alene Charter, is the Northwest Conference offensive player of the week. He had three goals and an assist in three games, two of the goals in one game.