Cougars open volleyball season with win

Washington State’s volleyball team opened its season with a 3-1 win over UC Davis in the Cougar Invitational on Friday in Pullman.

Jackie Albright had 18 kills for the Cougars and Kelly Hyder had 14 digs in the 25-20, 25-21, 21-25, 25-18 triumph.

WSU plays Montana State today at 12:30 and faces Portland at 7 p.m.

In the first match of the tournament, Portland swept Montana State 25-21, 25-18, 25-16.

Portland plays UC Davis at 10 a.m. today before facing WSU in the evening match.

•Gonzaga lost 3-1 to Utah Valley to open its season at the Weber State Invitational in Odgen, Utah.

The Zags, in their first match under coach Dave Gantt, fell 22-25, 23-25, 26-24, 19-25.

Junior blocker Catlin Cozad had 11 kills, three digs and five blocks for Gonzaga. Senior outside hitter Michelle Boevers also had 11 kills, and senior hitter Layne Brosky talled 10 kills and three digs while hitting .444.

The Zags play twice today, against Utah State at 10 a.m. and against Weber State at 6:30 p.m.

•Eastern Washington beat Missouri State 3-1 in the Eagles’ season opener at the Oregon Classic in Eugene, Ore. Hayley Hills led Eastern with 20 kills during the 25-22, 25-20, 17-25, 25-21 victory.

Eastern next faces No. 14 Oregon this morning at 10 before playing San Francisco at 4:30 p.m.

•The University of Idaho opened its season with a 25-20, 25-19, 25-16 sweep of Appalachian State at the Titan Classic in Fullerton, Calif.

Sarah Conwell tallied 12 kills and a .360 hitting percentage for Idaho.

The Vandals play twice today, at 11 a.m. against Lamar and at 7:30 p.m. against tournament host Cal State Fullerton.

Women’s soccer

Senior Kiersten Dallstream scored twice as No. 19 Washington State beat Syracuse 4-0 at the Colorado College Invitational in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Dallstream’s goals gave the Cougars (2-0-0) a 2-0 advantage at halftime. Tiara Pittman and Emma Stolz added second-half goals.

•Lori Conrad, Emma Dolcetti and Sarah Rhodes each scored second-half goals as Gonzaga earned a 3-1 nonconference victory over McNeese State at the Gonzaga Soccer Field.

Sheridan Jones had two assists for the Zags (2-0-0).

•Justine Bowman and Brittany Cook scored after Evergreen State had taken a 2-0 lead as North Idaho College opened its season with a 2-2 tie in Olympia.

Amanda Wemple played the first half and allowed both Geoducks goals, and Emily Mason came on in the second half and stopped five shots.