Cougs Spikeoff Favorite Strong Field Will Give Spokane Glimpse Of What’s In Store For December

For No. 6 Washington State University and No. 20 Notre Dame, Spikeoff Spokane will serve as a tune-up for December’s NCAA Women’s Volleyball Championships.

For host-team Gonzaga University and the University of Utah, the event will serve as a measuring stick.

“This is just going to be a great, first-class tournament,” said Washington State coach Cindy Fredrick, whose team is off to a 4-0 start.

The Division I tournament is the first of its kind at the 2-year-old Arena, site of this year’s Final Four.

The Cougs enter Spikeoff Spokane as favorites after breezing through last weekend’s Cougar Classic without dropping a game.

The tournament also marks the return of Washington State starter Elis Arias, who competed for Mexico in the World University Games. Senior Shannon Wyckoff, Cougar Challenge most valuable player, and sophomore Jennifer Canevari have been playing in Arias’ absence. It’s likely, both will continue to contribute.

Spikeoff Spokane also marks the return of Notre Dame left-side hitter Jaimie Lee, a 1994 Ferris High School graduate. Lee, the 1996 Big East player of the year, represented the U.S. in the World University Games.

The Irish (2-1) also are led by senior outside hitter Angie Harris (5.5 kills per game, 2.9 digs per game) and sophomore Emily Schiebout (3.08 kpg, 1.6 blocks per game).

Gonzaga, 2-1 after last weekend’s Cougar Challenge, has received great play from junior outside hitter Diane Pascua (4.1 kpg, 2.7 dpg) and junior setter Nicole Lamoure (12.6 assists per game). The Bulldogs’ only opening-weekend loss was to Washington State.

“Having seen them (WSU) is actually good for us,” Gonzaga coach Eva Windlin-Jansen said. “We’ve played with that level. Hopefully, now we can play at that level.”

Added Fredrick: “Gonzaga will be a little more prepared. They won’t have those first-tournament jitters.”

The Utes, coming off a third-place 20-12, 10-6 Western Athletic Conference year, enter with a 1-1 record. Wednesday, they beat Idaho in four games in Moscow. Utah’s big hitters are senior outside hitter Brenda Barton-Whicker and junior outside hitter Sara Shakula. Barton-Whicker landed 19 kills against the Vandals.

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: SPIKEOFF SPOKANE Today 6 p.m.: Utah vs. Washington State (WSU leads series 2-0). 8 p.m. Gonzaga vs. Notre Dame (GU leads series 1-0)

Saturday 11 a.m.: Notre Dame vs. Utah (first meeting) 1 p.m. Gonzaga vs. Washington State (WSU leads series 19-8) 6 p.m. Gonzaga vs. Utah (Utah leads series 2-1). 8 p.m Washington State vs. Notre Dame (WSU leads series 2-0)