Gu Snaps Losing Streak At Expense Of Portland

Gonzaga University’s volleyball team snapped its four-match losing streak Saturday night, sweeping the University of Portland 15-12, 15-11, 15-12 in West Coast Conference play at the Martin Center.

It was Gonzaga’s 10th straight win over the Pilots (9-13, 2-5) and the first for GU interim coach Eva WindlinJansen, who took over the team after Sean Madden resigned Wednesday.

In other matches, at San Luis Obispo, Calif., Idaho improved to 8-2 in the Big West, 19-3 overall with a 15-12, 15-4, 15-13 win over Cal-Poly San Luis Obispo. … In the Big Sky Conference, Eastern Washington (4-6, 10-10) suffered a setback in its playoff bid, losing to Sacramento State 15-12, 8-15, 9-15, 15-13, 15-12 at Cheney. … At Walla Walla, George Fox (13-8, 5-3) defeated Whitworth 15-5, 15-7, 15-3 in NCIC play. The Pirates dropped to 6-15, 2-7.

On the soccer field

Whitworth College forward Jen Tissue’s 19th goal of the season was the difference as the Pirates defeated visiting Pacific Lutheran 3-1 and clinched second place in the Northwest Conference. Whitworth earned the right to host a first-round playoff match Wednesday against Whitman or Puget Sound. … In men’s play, Whitworth’s Matt Leonard’s first goal of the season gave the Pirates a 1-0 win over PLU (3-13-1, 3-9-1). Today’s final day of conference play will determine playoff seedings. A win or a tie against Puget Sound will clinch a spot for the Pirates (8-6-2, 7-4-2).

Paul Johnson scored two goals and keeper Dustin Pilcher earned his first shutout of the season in the Community College of Spokane’s 3-0 win over Shoreline Community College (5-9-1 conference) The second-place Sasquatch improved to 16-3-1, 11-3-1 in the NWAACC Northern Division. … The CCS women also are returning home from Seattle with a 2-1 win over Shoreline (3-9-1 conference). CCS’s Amy Pannell scored at the 41-minute mark and teammate Heidi Simmons made the score 2-0 just 7 minutes later. Second-place CCS improved to 12-1-4, 10-0-3.

On the cross country course

Community Colleges of Spokane captured the men’s race and the Bloomsday Road Runners Club won the women’s division in the Washington State Community College Championships at Spokane Falls CC.

Individually, Greg Kuntz won the men’s title in 25 minutes, 33 seconds. Carrie Ross of Flathead Valley won the women’s race in 19.48.