Vandals fall just shy of WAC title match

Desiree Scott and Stephanie Ziegler had 18 kills apiece Tuesday night as top-seeded New Mexico State (21-10) rallied past fourth-seeded Idaho 27-29, 26-24, 26-28, 25-12, 15-12 at the Western Athletic Conference tournament semifinals in Phoenix.

The Aggies will meet No. 2 Cal State Bakersfield (21-11) tonight for the title and automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.

Jessica Hastriter led four Vandals in double-figure kills with 15. Idaho (19-11) also had four players in double figures in digs, led by Jenna Ellis’ 23.

• Gonzaga sophomore outside hitter Savannah Blinn (Lewiston) was named to the All-West Coast Conference first team, the first Bulldogs player to receive the honor since Tracy McKinney in 1994.

Blinn, who had 400 kills and 56 blocks, recorded the second-highest, single-season attack percentage (.330) in program history.

GU setter Lyndsay Palmer and middle blocker Imani Wimbush were named to the All-WCC freshman team, as Blinn was last season.