UI volleyball climbs into tie for second place

Sarah Conwell had 12 kills and 10 digs to spark Idaho to a taut 3-1 win over New Mexico State in a Western Athletic Conference volleyball showdown in Moscow Thursday.

The teams split the first two games by identical 25-21 scores. The Vandals (12-12) then won 25-23 and 31-29 to pull into a tie for second with the Aggies (13-8) at 8-3 in league. The four games featured 36 ties and 17 lead changes as UI earned its first win over NMSU since 2005.

Strong defense carried the day as Idaho had 12 blocks and 51 digs, led by Meredith Rice with 15. Conwell had her fifth straight double-double and her WAC-leading 12th of the season. Anna McKinney had nine kills and nine blocks.

Men’s basketball

With two starters returning, including all-league forward David Riley, Whitworth was tabbed by Northwest Conference coaches to finish first.

The Pirates were second last year, finishing 12-4 in league and 23-6 overall. Defending champion Puget Sound was second in the preseason poll.

Women’s basketball

Idaho senior Derisa Taleni, the WAC Newcomer of the Year last season, will redshirt this season after suffering an ACL knee injury this week.

Taleni averaged 14.5 points per game to lead the Vandals and ranked fourth in the WAC.

•Whitworth tied for fourth in the NWC preseason coaches poll. Defending NCAA Division III champion George Fox was the top pick. Puget Sound was picked second with Whitman third.