Northwest Notes April 5, 2021
WSU volleyball team earns NCAA volleyball tourney bid, first-round bye
Washington State's volleyball team was selected for the NCAA Tournament for the fifth straight season, it was announced Sunday afternoon.
The first round is Wednesday, April 14, and the second round will be April 15. Regional semifinals are Sunday, April 18, and the regional finals April 19. The national semifinals are Thursday, April 22, with the 2021 national championship on April 24. For COVID-19 reasons, the tournament will be held all in one location, at the Chi Health Center Arena in Omaha, Neb.
The Cougars (11-4, 11-4 Pac-12) received a No. 15 overall seed to earn a first-round bye into the second round of the tournament, as the total number of teams was reduced to 48 overall for this spring tournament.
WSU will look to play its second-round match against either Western Kentucky (21-0, C-USA) or Jackson State (11-0, SWAC), Thursday April 15 at 7:30 p.m. PDT.
The Cougs have been led by sophomores Pia Timmer, Magda Jehlářová and Hannah Pukis. Timmer led the Cougars during the regular season in total kills (160) and kills per set (3.20). Pukis has totaled 525 assists in 15 matches, which ranks sixth overall in the Pac-12. Magda led the conference in hitting percentage (.415) and led in solo blocks (17) as well.
Timme wins top power forward award
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Gonzaga sophomore Drew Timme was named the Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced.
The five finalists for the award were Timme, Trayce Jackson-Davis (Indiana), Justin Champagnie (Pittsburg), Sandro Mamukelashvili (Seton Hall) and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (Villanova).
Timme was named second team All-American by the Associated Press, NABC and USBWA. Timme was also a first team All-West Coast Conference selection, and was recently named the NCAA Tournament West Regional Most Outstanding Player.
Kispert earns top small forward award
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Gonzaga senior Corey Kispert was named the Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced.
The five finalists for the award were Kispert, Isaiah Livers (Michigan), Ron Harper Jr. (Rutgers), Terrence Shannon, Jr. (Texas Tech) and Sam Hauser (Virginia).
Kispert, the West Coast Conference Player of the Year, was also a Wooden and Naismith Player of the Year finalist. He was named first team All-American by the Associated Press, NABC and USBWA.
Kispert’s former Gonzaga teammate, Rui Hachimura, received the honor in 2019.
EWU QB earns Big Sky Player of the Week award
Eastern Washington quarterback was named Offensive Player of the Week in the Big Sky Conference.
Barriere passed for 392 yards and three touchdowns and finished with 435 yards of total offense in a 32-22 victory at UC Davis.
He completed 30 of 41 passes, and also rushed six times for 43 yards.