Area roundup: Eastern women tabbed for 2nd place

Defending Big Sky Conference regular-season women’s basketball champion Eastern Washington was predicted to finish second in the preseason coaches’ and media polls.

EWU received two first-place votes and 53 points in the coaches’ poll and six first-place votes and 159 points in the media poll. Montana is favored in both polls, released Thursday.

EWU returns three starters, including Julie Piper, last year’s Big Sky Most Valuable Player.

Volleyball

Kanani Danielson had 15 kills and 11 digs as fourth-ranked Hawaii (17-1, 7-0 Western Athletic Conference) posted a sweep at Idaho (10-11, 5-5).

Allison Walker had seven kills for the Vandals, who hit just .058.

• Sabrina Ewing had eight kills and Gabriella Risilato added 17 assists and nine aces as North Idaho (21-5, 7-0 SWAC) won its ninth consecutive match by posting a 3-0 win over visiting Colorado Northwestern (2-22, 0-8).

Women’s golf

EWU senior Kellie Holmstedt was named co-Big Sky Conference golfer of the week after placing fourth at the Shocker Invitational in Newton, Kan.