Vandals open season by trouncing Howard

The University of Idaho volleyball team opened its season in striking fashion at the Pittsburgh Invitational, sweeping Howard 30-16, 30-21 and 30-9.

The Vandals, led by Kati Tikker with 15 kills and a .400 hitting percentage, doubled Howard’s kill output 48-24.

Sarah Meek had 12 kills on .391 hitting, and Saxony and Meghan Brown combined for 22 digs. Mandy Becker added 44 assists and four digs for Idaho (1-0), which takes on Portland this morning before matching up against defending Big East champion and host Pittsburgh tonight.

•In Brian Heffernan’s first outing as Washington State’s new head coach, the Cougars dropped the opener of the UNLV Classic 30-17, 30-12, 30-32, 22-30 and 15-11 to the host school. Jen Barcus led WSU (0-1) with 15 kills, and Jennifer Todd added 14 kills and six blocks. UNLV (1-0) hung on despite a late run by the Cougars in the fifth game.

•Christina Davis’ 20 kills and ten digs weren’t enough for Gonzaga (0-2), as the Bulldogs fell at Boise State 30-25, 30-27, 28-30, 30-23. Cameron Flunder had 23 kills and Christina Melvin added 63 assists for the Broncos (2-0).

•North Idaho College was swept in four matches at the Hampton Inn Invitational in Salt Lake City. The Cardinals (6-6) fell at the hands of Western Nebraska, Southwest Missouri State-West Plains, Dixie State and Arizona Western. Setter Tiana Maua had 62 assists during the four games.

•Whitworth (2-0) finished day one of the Whitworth Invitational undefeated, defeating Montana-Western in straight sets, and then beating Great Falls in four sets. Julie Marsh led the Pirates against Montana-Western with 12 kills and seven aces, and Katy Schrader paced Whitworth against Great Falls with 14 kills. CC Spokane (1-1) split its games during the first day, knocking off Great Falls in five sets before falling to Pacific (Ore.), also in five sets.

•Thursday night, EWU lost to host and 13th-ranked Hawaii 30-23, 30-15, 30-20 at the Wahine Classic in Honolulu.

Soccer

Ashley Cox did all the scoring to lead Idaho (1-2) to a 2-0 win over the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. Cox scored in the 23rd minute on an assist from Adriane Kehl, and again in the 77th minute on an assist from Sarah April. The Falcons (1-2) outshot Idaho 19-10, but nine saves by Vandals goalie Lindsay Smith kept them scoreless.

• Sarah Hawkins scored on a penalty kick in the 87th minute to push Gonzaga (2-1) to a 2-1 win over visiting Utah State (1-2). After a scoreless first half, the Aggies struck on a goal by Charlsie Harris in the 48th minute, but substitute Walker Loseno tied it ten minutes later, scoring on a cross from Stacey Sarro.

• Freshman Allison Tsuchida scored Boise State’s only goal in the 33rd minute to lead the Broncos (3-0) to a 1-0 win at Eastern Washington (1-2). The Eagles outshot Boise State 15-13.

• Four different players scored for the Whitworth men in a 4-0 pasting of Lawrence (Wis.) University (0-1). Sean Lambrecht opened the scoring for the Pirates (1-1) by heading in a corner from Ali Seyedali in the 31st minute.

Golf

Steve Prugh of Manito Golf and Country Club shot a 1-under 143 to win Division I of the Pacific Northwest Section Senior PGA Championship, and earn an entry into the Senior Club Professional Championship.