GU welcomes Cougs, Huskies

Washington State rarely visits Gonzaga for a non-conference volleyball match. It’s even rarer for Washington to take on the Bulldogs in Spokane.

That changes this week when both schools drop by GU’s Martin Centre. WSU (4-0) faces Gonzaga (2-1) tonight at 7 – just the Cougars’ third visit in 16 years. The Bulldogs play host to the Gonzaga Tournament this weekend, opening against No. 8-ranked Washington (3-0) at 7 p.m. Friday. Washington hasn’t played at the Martin Centre since 1990.

“Hopefully, we’ll play to our potential this week because we’re going to need to,” Gonzaga coach Kip Yoshimura said. “Washington State had a very good weekend and anytime you play a Pac-10 team you’re going to be playing against some of the best recruits in the country. Washington lost some key players, but I’d bet they’re going to be in the thick of things later in the season.”

WSU rolled to the title in its Baden Cougar Challenge as middle blocker Tara West earned MVP honors. Setter Maureen Perez and outside hitter Brittany Johnson were all-tournament selections.

Gonzaga, at 2-1, is off to its best start since 1997. The Bulldogs won their season opener for the first time since 2001. Setter Heather Dunn and middle blocker Elaina Renius made the all-tournament team at the Montana Invitational.

Washington (3-0) is led by senior Christal Morrison, a three-time AVCA All-American. The Huskies won the NCAA title in 2005 and advanced to the Final Four last year.

Vandals at home

Idaho (1-3) welcomes Oregon State, Middle Tennessee and Oklahoma to Moscow this weekend for its first home tournament since 2003. Oklahoma (3-0) is ranked No. 21. Oregon State and Middle Tennessee are receiving votes.

After Saturday’s 7:30 p.m. match with the Sooners, the Vandals will have played seven games in nine days.

“I would be worried about fatigue if we were on the road,” UI coach Debbie Buchanan said, “but I feel okay since we are going to be close to home this week.”

Quick sets

Eastern Washington (0-3) continues its rugged tournament schedule at the PowerAde/Asics Classic in San Francisco. EWU meets Colgate on Friday and Oral Roberts and San Francisco on Saturday. All three opponents are 2-1. The following weekend, EWU is at the Waikiki Beach Marriott Classic in Honolulu, which features No. 16 Hawaii and No. 19 Santa Clara. … Whitworth opens its season with two games Friday at the Las Vegas Blast Tournament. CC Spokane’s first match is Saturday at the Lower Columbia Invitational.