Northwest Notes Aug. 20, 2022

WSU volleyball coach signs contract extension

PULLMAN — Washington State women's volleyball coach Jen Greeny has signed a contract extension which will keep her in Pullman through the 2026 season, WSU athletic director Pat Chun announced Friday.

Her initial contract was set to expire after the 2022 season.

In 11 years since taking the reins of the very same program that she helped lead to three NCAA Tournament appearances on the court, Greeny has garnered two Pac-12 Coach of the Year awards while leading the Cougars to an unprecedented six consecutive (and counting) NCAA postseason appearances.

"During her time leading Cougar Volleyball, Coach Greeny has established our program as a national contender annually," Chun said. "She has proven to be one of the best coaches in our conference and the country. We are fortunate to have her guiding our program for many years to come."

"It is an honor to continue leading this program and build on the success we have achieved," Greeny said. "Washington State University is home and we are so thankful to our administration for believing in us. We love Pullman and are 100 percent invested in the tremendous young women that have and continue to make Cougar volleyball so special."

Earlier this spring, Greeny was chosen as a part of an elite staff of coaches to help train Team USA hopefuls at the U.S. Olympic Training Center as a part of open tryouts for the U.S. Women's National Team and U.S. Collegiate National Team. Having competed for Team USA during her own playing days, Greeny has coached eight players over the past decade that have gone on to represent their country in international competition with several continuing their volleyball careers professionally overseas.

The Cougars finished 2021 at No. 23 in the nation after a postseason run to the NCAA tournament second round and a 20-12 overall record, its third 20-plus win season in the last four years. WSU begins its quest for a seventh-straight NCAA Tournament appearance on Aug. 26-27 as it opens the season at the BYU Invitational in Provo, Utah.

EWU picked seventh, Idaho ninth in Big Sky volleyball

FARMINGTON, Utah — Northern Colorado is picked to win another conference championship this fall, with the announcement of the 2022 Big Sky volleyball preseason coaches' poll, as voted by the league's head coaches.

Eastern Washington finished in a tie for seventh, Idaho ninth in the coaches poll.

The 2022 Big Sky volleyball season gets underway on Friday, Aug. 26, as all 10 teams will be in action. The 2022 Big Sky Volleyball Tournament will be played at Weber State for the second straight season, Nov. 23-26.

2022 Big Sky Volleyball Preseason Coaches’ Poll

First-place votes in parentheses

1, Northern Colorado (6) 78 points. 2, Weber State (2) 70. 3, Portland State (1) 66. 4, Montana State (1) 52. 5 (tie), Northern Arizona 50, Sacramento State 50. 7 (tie), Eastern Washington 25, Montana 25. 9, Idaho 21. 10, Idaho State 13.