Northwest Notes
Two more sign with
NIC volleyball team
COEUR d'ALENE - Anyssa Matheson, a 5-foot-10 outside hitter from Worley, and Brittany Finch, a 6-foot outside hitter/middle blocker from Missoula, have both signed to play volleyball at North Idaho College.
Matheson, a transfer from Salt Lake Community College, graduated from Coeur d'Alene High in 2012.
"Anyssa is a good athlete and student who had a great deal of success in her matches versus NIC in 2012. We had an opportunity to add a local athlete who we feel will give us depth at the outside hitter position so we jumped at it," NIC volleyball coach Miles Kydd said. "Anyssa also has an opportunity to come in and battle for a spot in the starting rotation, and we need that competitive environment in our gym on a daily basis this fall."
Last fall, as a freshman at Salt Lake, Matheson came off the bench and had eight kills as the Bruins, ranked No. 7 in the NJCAA at the time, upset No. 1 NIC in five games in Coeur d'Alene.
Matheson played four years of club ball with North Idaho Thunder. She was awarded the Virtue Award her freshman year at Coeur d'Alene High with a GPA of a 3.3.
Finch played three years for the Loyola Sacred Heart Breakers in Missoula. She earned a varsity position her sophomore year playing outside hitter and started as setter/middle her junior year. She transferred her senior year and played middle and outside for the class AA Sentinel Lady Spartans.
"Brittany is a very athletic and multi-faceted volleyball player. Brittany played a lot as a middle blocker/hitter, but has the athleticism to play several positions and do them well," Kydd said. "I anticipate that Brittany will become a very big part of our offense in the future and is another athlete who we feel can come in immediately and challenge for a spot on the floor."
Finch earned Academic All-State all four years. She played club for Montana Volleyball Academy, making the national team as a junior and coaching a 15s national team with former NIC volleyball coach Kandice Gregorak as a senior.
NIC coaches to recap season
at Booster Club luncheon
COEUR d'ALENE - North Idaho College coaches will give recaps of the last season and updates on recruiting at the booster club luncheon on Tuesday at noon at The Coeur d'Alene Resort Shore Room.
Among spring highlights, the NIC softball team surprised College of Southern Idaho in the Region 18 tournament and the women's golf team had their highest national finish ever, placing ninth at the NJCAA championships.
The NIC Booster Club meets on the second and last Tuesday of the month at noon, typically alternating between the Outback Steakhouse and the Coeur d'Alene Resort. The public is welcome to attend; the cost of lunch is not covered.
Information: 769-3348
Broncos promote Linder
to associate head coach
BOISE - Jeff Linder has been promoted to associate head coach of the Boise State men's basketball team, head coach Leon Rice announced.
Linder, an assistant coach with the Broncos the last three seasons, fills the role vacated by Dave Wojcik, who was named the head coach at San Jose State on March 29.
Linder helped lead the Broncos to the NCAA tournament this past season, the first at-large selection in school history after going 21-11.
He previously served as associate head coach at San Francisco in 2009-10 before joining the Broncos the following season.
Ex-Chief Bruton
signs with Islanders
Former Spokane Chief Chris Bruton has signed a two-way NHL/AHL contract with the New York Islanders.
Bruton was named to the Chiefs Top 25 Chiefs in 25 Years after he captained the 2008 club to their second Memorial Cup Championship. Six players from that team have played in the NHL with several others having success in other professional leagues and collegiately.