Northwest Notes: Dec. 30, 2021
Eastern women call off
this weekend's games
The Eastern Washington University women's basketball games against Portland State University and Northern Arizona University set for tonight and Saturday at Reese Court will not be played due to COVID-19 issues within Eastern Washington's program.
Any potential rescheduling of Big Sky Conference games will be determined at a later date.
For refunds or credit to another women's basketball home game, contact the EWU Athletic ticket office at 509-359-6059.
The Eagles will be in action next at Montana on Thursday, Jan. 6 at 6 p.m. Pacific time. Eastern Washington's next home game is part of a doubleheader with the men's squad against Idaho on Jan. 8 at 1 p.m.
Idaho men's basketball
now in COVID pause
The Idaho men's basketball games at Northern Arizona and Portland State set for tonight and Saturday will not be played due to COVID-19 issues within Idaho's program.
The Vandals will return to ICCU Arena for a matchup against the Montana State Bobcats on Thursday, Jan. 6 at 6 p.m. before heading to face Eastern Washington for a doubleheader with the Idaho women's basketball team on Jan. 8 at 3:30 p.m.
Wilson tabbed new
volleyball coach at Gonzaga
Gonzaga athletic director Chris Standiford announced that Katie Wilson was hired as head coach of the volleyball team .
Wilson arrives in Spokane after having spent the last seven seasons at the University of Notre Dame. In 2018, she was elevated to Associate Head Coach for the Fighting Irish. She has spent five of the last six seasons with setting, passing, outside hitters and offensive coordinator as her primary coaching responsibility. Wilson replaces Diane Nelson who recently resigned from Gonzaga.
“I am honored and incredibly grateful to be named the head coach of Gonzaga volleyball,” Wilson said. “I believe Gonzaga can become a volleyball program that competes at the highest level. When I met with the team, while we were going through the interview process, I knew I wanted to coach them. They were hungry for knowledge, asked wonderful questions, and it was clear they wanted to be pushed. They also spoke about the Zag family and how this community is what makes Gonzaga special. It is about the people. I cannot wait to get to work.”
Lake City High senior Hanah Stoddard signed with Gonzaga during the early signing period in November.
During her tenure as an assistant coach, Wilson played a major role in the improvement of the Notre Dame program, as the team went from a 7-25 record in 2015 to back-to-back 22-win seasons in 2016 and 2017. In Wilson’s seven seasons with the Irish, Notre Dame has reached the NCAA Tournament three times (2017, 2019, 2020).
“We are thrilled to welcome Katie and her family to Gonzaga,” Standiford said. “Her passion and energy are contagious, and we look forward to the growth of the volleyball program under her leadership.”
In 2020, Wilson helped lead the Fighting Irish to a second-place finish in the Atlantic Coast Conference, the program’s best-ever ACC finish. Notre Dame appeared in back-to-back NCAA Tournaments in 2019 and 2020, and advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2005.