Chiefs at Americans’ tourney

The Western Hockey League regular season begins in a few weeks, and preparation for the Sept. 22 opener at Tri-City continues today for the Spokane Chiefs.

With 30 players remaining on their preseason roster, the Chiefs take on Everett at 11 a.m., and Tri-City on Saturday at the Americans’ preseason tournament in Kennewick.

The Chiefs have three goalies, 10 defensemen and 17 forwards remaining on their roster, which includes four 20-year-old players competing for three allotted spots. All teams in the league must be down to three overage players by Oct. 10.

In their first two preseason games last weekend at the Everett Silvertips tournament, the Chiefs went 1-1 in the process of putting their rookies to the test.

Veteran Mitch Holmberg, who will be relied upon for offensive output this season, had a hat trick in Spokane’s 6-3 win over Seattle on Sunday, and 19-year-old Todd Fiddler had a goal and two assists. Fiddler was acquired by Spokane last season at the trade deadline.

Spokane’s home opener is on Sept. 29 against Tri-City. 

• Tickets to individual games for the 2012-13 regular season are on sale at the Chiefs’ office and TicketsWest outlets.

Call (509) 535-PUCK (7825) or (800) 325-SEAT (7328) for more information.

Women’s basketball

Washington State will play five of its Pac-12 Conference games on television, the conference office announced in releasing the full 2012-13 league schedule. The Cougars open conference play by hosting Arizona and Arizona State the first weekend of January.

• Eastern Washington unveiled its 2012-13 schedule, which begins Nov. 11 at home against Pacific, one of eight potential opponents the Eagles will play that participated in national tournaments a year ago.

Eastern opens the league season Dec. 20 at Weber State, followed by a game against defending regular-season and tournament champion Idaho State on Dec. 22.

Women’s volleyball

Whitworth opened its Whit Classic tournament with a 25-8, 25-11, 25-3 victory over Walla Walla (0-5).

Abi Hedlund had four aces for Whitworth (2-2) while Briauna Stadeli had 10 kills and a hitting percentage of .600 and Jalana White added nine kills.

Luther (Iowa) and Whittier (Calif.) are also competing in the tournament, which runs through Saturday.

Girls volleyball

Lake City swept visiting Coeur d’Alene 25-23, 25-21, 25-21 in an Inland Empire 5A match. Kylie Curtis led LC with 14 kills and added 2 1/2 blocks while Madi Farrell added nine kills along with an .818 hitting percentage and 3 1/2 blocks.

• In a nonleague match between the Greater Spokane League’s top-ranked 4A teams, host Mead defeated Central Valley 25-10, 25-13, 22-25, 25-14.

Mead is ranked second in the Seattle Times’ State 4A poll while Central Valley is sixth.

Girls soccer

Lake City rallied from two goals down to tie Lewiston 3-3 in an Inland Empire 5A soccer match at Lewiston. Alissa Joliss scored twice for Lake City.

• Liz Racer scored four goals and Lindsay Taggert two as Bonners Ferry defeated host Priest River 6-2 in an Intermountain League match.

Taggert, a senior, scored her first varsity goals in her second year on the squad.