Northwest Notes Aug. 5, 2011

Eastern tabbed sixth

by Big Sky coaches

The Eastern Washington Eagles were picked sixth in the Big Sky Conference volleyball preseason coaches poll, released by the league office.

Eastern received 34 total points to finish behind No. 5 Idaho State (36) and No. 4 Sacramento State (40). Eastern finished sixth in the league last year with a 7-9 record.

The team returns nine players from the 2010 squad, including four starters and the primary libero.

Northern Colorado (63) received seven of eight first-place votes, followed by Portland State (55) and Montana (44).

Cardinals ranked 17th

in NJCAA preseason poll

The North Idaho Cardinals volleyball team enters the upcoming season ranked 17th in the preseason NJCAA polls, released Wednesday.

NIC went 29-8 last season and finished fifth in the NJCAA tournament under former coach Colleen Frohlich.

The Cardinals open the season at a Southern Idaho tournament in Twin Falls on Aug. 26-27.

Southern Idaho is ranked fifth, followed by Salt Lake (7th) and Snow College (24th).

Space still available

for NIC tournament

Varsity and junior varsity high school volleyball players are encouraged to put a team together for a volleyball tournament on Saturday at North Idaho College.

The tournament begins at 9 a.m. in Christianson Gym and cost is $20 per person.

You can download a registration form by clicking on the "camps, clinics and special events" link at www.nic.edu/athletics.

Info: Coach Kandice Kelly at [email protected] or Linda Hall at [email protected].

White, Orton leave

Shock for UFL teams

Spokane Shock wide receivers Markee White and Greg Orton were both placed on the other league exempt list to rejoin their respective United Football League teams.

White will rejoin the UFL's Hartford Colonials, while Orton will rejoin the Omaha Nighthawks.

White had 31 receptions for 316 yards and nine touchdowns in five games for Spokane.