Northwest Notes May 18, 2022
Former Lakeland star Ryan named to Women's U21 National Training Team
COLORADO SPRINGS — Washington State sophomore Katy Ryan was one of 22 players chosen for the U.S. Women's U21 National Training Team, as announced by USA Volleyball earlier this month.
The team will train May 26-June 4 at Centenary College of Louisiana in Shreveport. Twelve players will be chosen to compete at the 2022 Women's U21 Pan American Cup on June 5-13 in Mexico.
Ryan, a 2021 Lakeland High graduate, started as a freshman right-side hitter this past fall at WSU.
Ryan was also a member of the 2021 USA Volleyball U20 National Training Team and earlier this year, she was selected to the U.S. Women's Collegiate National Volleyball Team which will also convene next month to train from June 19-25 at the National Team Training Center in Anaheim, Calif.
Idaho women's basketball associate head coach Sanford resigns
MOSCOW — Idaho women's basketball coach Jon Newlee announced that longtime associate head coach Christa Sanford will be retiring from the program.
Sanford has been a staple on the Idaho bench for 14 seasons, six of them as the associate head coach.
"After much thought and prayer I have decided to step down from coaching to spend more time with my family," Sanford said. "It was not an easy decision, but our kids are getting older, and I don't want to miss any moments as I know I only have so much time with them while they are young. It has been an amazing ride as a college coach."
Sanford's day-to-day coaching duties included working with both the posts and guards. Off the court, she served as the program recruiting coordinator, overseeing the scouting of opponents and organizing team practices. In the offseason, she helped run the Idaho basketball camps.
Sanford has helped Newlee to a program record 244 wins, two WAC regular season championships, one Big Sky regular season championship, two WAC tournament championships, and one Big Sky tournament championship.
"Having recruited Christa and coached her for five years, then having her work by my side for 15 more, makes today extremely bittersweet," Newlee said.
Newlee and Sanford have guided the Vandals to seven postseason bids: three trips to the NCAA tournament, two WNIT appearances, and two WBI appearances including a run to the WBI semifinals in 2016-17.
"She is someone I always know I can count on," said Allison Kirby, a guard and former Timberlake High standout who recently completed her super senior season at Idaho. "On and off the court she always has my back and pushed me to be the best version of myself. From basketball, school, and life, she has been a great role model for me and I am forever grateful for her and the impact she made on my life."
Gonzaga women add Panola College transfer Burton
SPOKANE — Gonzaga women's basketball coach Lisa Fortier announced the addition of transfer student Destiny Burton on Tuesday.
Burton, a 6-foot forward/center from the Panola College, will join the Zags in the fall.
At Panola, Burton started in 28 games and played in 49 overall. She averaged 8.4 points and 6.2 rebounds a game in her two years with the program. In her last season with the team, she helped the team go 21-8 overall and 12-6 in the conference. In her two years at Panola, Burton scored in double figures 20 times with her career high performance of 19 against Blinn College on Dec. 7, 2021.
"Her physicality and energy are going to be a perfect addition to our front court," Fortier said. "She is experienced and has had great success in a variety of different ways offensively."