the pack - volume i, issue ii
DESCRIPTION
This issue of The Pack features a full preview of Coyote Football, Team Notes, and much more.TRANSCRIPT
FEATURES
5 COYOTE HOOPS SCHEDULE College of Idaho men's basketball coach Scott Garson announced earlier this week the schedule for the 2015-16 season, featuring 16 home games where the Coyotes will put their unbeaten streak on the line.
7 FORE A GOOD CAUSE The College of Idaho is pleased to announce the 31st annual Coyote Open golf tournament will be held Friday, September 25, at Falcon Crest Golf Course.
9 MENDIOLA INKS EIGHT
College of Idaho head softball coach Al Mendiola has announced the
signing of eight athletes to Cascade Conference Letters of Intent for the
2016 season. Six of the eight athletes will enter the Lady Yotes softball
program fresh out of high school.
11 ONE FOR THE AGES Comparing the College of Idaho's rebirth into football versus other schools who have recently brought the sport back to life.
SPORTS
13 FOOTBALL PREVIEW
25 LADY YOTE SOCCER 29 LADY YOTE VOLLEYBALL
THE BEAT 2 UPCOMING WEEK 3 #COYOTECANDIDS 33 TOP 25 POLLS
ON THE COVER
#YOTESTEEL. Football is back and we
take a trip down memory lane to recap
the unforgettable return of Coyote
Football in 2014. We also break down
eight different position groups for the
2015 squad as well as opponents and
the season outlook.
Volume I, Issue II Designed and distributed by The College of Idaho
Athletic Communications Department.
Executive Editors Mike Safford Jr
Tyler Thurston
Creative Design Tyler Thurston
Contributing Writers Mike Safford Jr
Tyler Thurston
Photography Liza Safford
EMAIL: [email protected]
FACEBOOK: COYOTE ATHLETICS
INSTAGRAM: @COYOTEATHLETICS
TWITTER: @COYOTEATHLETICS
YOUTUBE: YOTE ATHLETICS
FOOTBALL - The Coyote football will play its annual Purple/Gold
game Thursday afternoon at 2 PM inside Simplot Stadium. Admission
is free.
College of Idaho men's basketball coach Scott Garson
served as an assistant coach for the Under-18 United States
team at the 2015 European Maccabi Games, held in Berlin,
Germany.
C ollege of Idaho men's basketball coach
Scott Garson unveiled his 2015-16
schedule earlier this week, including 16
home games and seven contests against
national tournament teams.
The Yotes, who led the NAIA in attendance last
season, will take a 34-game home win streak into the
new season.
"In putting together our home schedule this year, we
wanted the most competitive schedule as possible,
considering the fan base that we have at the College of
Idaho," Garson said. "Leading the NAIA in attendance
was special and our fans have helped us create one of
the top home court environments in small college
basketball."
Two November tournaments, along with home dates
against in-state rivals will give fans a chance to know a
squad that advanced to the NAIA Division II national
quarterfinals in 2015, but will replace seven senior
student-athletes.
The schedule starts with a bang, meeting two Canadian
schools at the Aramark Quinn Classic, hosted by
Eastern Oregon. The University of Victoria won the
Canada West title last season and placed fourth at the
CIS championships, while Langara College finished
fifth at the Canada Collegiate Athletic Association
championships.
C of I opens the home schedule with the Taco Bell
Shoot-Out, the first of three-straight home
dates. NAIA Division I power Montana Western
opens the slate, a team that advanced to the NAIA
Championships in 2015. The squad will close the
tournament with their first ever meeting against
Northwest Indian College.
"Our opening game against Montana Western will test
our home streak over the last two years," Garson said.
"They are very well coached and should be a national
tournament caliber team again this year."
The Yotes will host Northwest Nazarene in the first of
two United Heritage Insurance Mayors' Cup games
before playing a single road tilt at Westminster.
The team returns home to host an improved Montana
Tech team and Division II powerhouse Metro State –
quite possibly the best ever visiting road team to ever
play in the Activities Center.
"Metro State has been clearly one of the, if not the, top
small college program in the country over the last two
decades," Garson said. "They have won two NCAA
Division II national titles and had two runner-up
finishes in the last 15 years."
After a return match-up with NNU, the non-conference
slate ends Thanksgiving weekend with a Saturday
afternoon match-up with rival Lewis-Clark State – a
squad that also advanced to the NAIA Championships.
The Cascade Conference schedule begins in early
December, a 20-game double round-robin gauntlet.
"I expect the Cascade Conference again to be one of
the toughest leagues in the NAIA Division II," Garson
said. "Our fans will see great teams coming to
Caldwell every night."
View the complete C of I schedule online at here.
T he College of Idaho is pleased to announce
the 31st annual Coyote Open golf
tournament will be held Friday, September
25, at Falcon Crest Golf Course. Online
registration for the tournament will begin in the
coming days.
One of the largest and longest-running golf
tournaments in southwestern Idaho, the Coyote Open
is the largest fundraiser conducted by the College of
Idaho Athletic Association. Formed in 1985, the
Coyote Open annually features nearly 200 golfers and
over 100 sponsors. Funds raised from this event help
offset the cost of athletic scholarships at the College.
Due to increased demand, the tournament moved in
2014 to utilize all 27 championship holes at Falcon
Crest Golf Course – allowing more teams to
participate, while also speeding up the pace of play.
Entry fees for the five-person scramble have remained
at $150 (or $750 per team), a portion of which is tax
deductible. Hole Sponsorship fees are $200 and are
fully tax deductible (with other sponsorship packages
also available). All $200 sponsors will have their
business or personal name featured on our giant
Coyote Open Sponsor billboard, which is on display at
the tournament, and remains above the concession
stand inside the J.A. Albertson Activities Center for
the remainder of the school year.
Included in the entry fee is a round of golf with cart at
Falcon Crest, utilization of the driving range,
beverages on the course, a barbeque dinner following
the round, a unique C of I athletics-related tee prize, an
opportunity to win great prizes (including a new
vehicle for a hole in one on a selected hole), and an
opportunity to meet and visit with C of I student-
athletes and coaches.
The 2015 Coyote Open Golf Tournament is scheduled
for an 11 a.m. shotgun start. For further information on
sponsorship opportunities or participation, contact Joe
Hughes at [email protected] or (208) 459-
5917.
"Some of our most successful teams in
the past are a result of homegrown
talent. Pairing them with the girl we got
from Oregon and Washington will
certainly help us back to the top level of
NAIA play and advance into the
postseason again"
C ollege of Idaho head softball coach Al
Mendiola has announced the signing of
eight athletes to Cascade Conference
Letters of Intent for the 2016 season. Six
of the eight athletes will enter the Lady Yotes softball
program fresh out of high school.
"I am so excited to add this class to our team," said
Mendiola. "We already have a great nucleus of
returners; pair them with this group of girls who take
care of business both on the field and in the classroom
and you have an outstanding fit for the culture here at
The College of Idaho."
Headlining the group is Ashley Pesek, an NCAA
transfer from crosstown rival Northwest Nazarene
University. Pesek was a 1st-Team selection to the All-
GNAC squad after leading the conference in strikeouts
for the 2015 season. When Pesek was not pitching, the
Crusaders used her as their designated hitter and Pesek
performed, blasting a team-high nine home runs last
year. Among her other accomplishments, Pesek was a
member of the GNAC All-Academic team for the
spring of 2015.
"Ashley will make an immediate impact on our
program this fall," said Mendiola. "She does a great
job of locating her pitches as well as changing speeds.
She's also an offensive threat that we can plug into the
lineup to bring power anywhere in the order. The
exciting part about Ashley is as good as she is on the
field, she's an even better person off the field."
Joining Pesek as a transfer into Caldwell is Katelyn
Geyer (Boise, Idaho / College of Spokane). Geyer
played outfield for the 2015 North West Athletic
Conference Champions and was a Eastern Region 2nd
Team NWAC All-Star.
The six incoming freshman all bring an array of
accomplishments with them – Bentli Corta (Eagle,
Idaho / Eagle HS) won the 2015 5A State
Championship, Delaney Atkins (Boise, Idaho / Bishop
Kelly HS) won the 2015 4A State Championship, Miah
Slater (Imbler, Ore. / Imbler HS) was the 2015 Player
of the Year in her conference, and Hailee
Kiser (Middleton, Idaho / Middleton HS) was named
to the 2014 SIC All-Conference team. Haylie
Hudson (Sisters, Ore. / Sisters HS) was a key player in
helping Central Oregon win the Fast-Pitch Northwest's
Young Division Championship. Rounding out the
2016 recruiting class is Kylie White (Spanaway,
Wash. / Bethel HS). White was the Bethel High School
team captain in 2014, helping the Braves to a 4th Place
finish at the 2014 Softball State Championships.
"The Treasure Valley and Pacific Northwest as a
whole is a hotbed for excellent softball players.
Schools from outside the area are recruiting Valley
kids so anytime we can keep a talented one local, I am
very pleased," Mendiola added. "Some of our most
successful teams in the past are a result of homegrown
talent we've been able to keep in the area. Pairing them
with the girls we got from Oregon and Washington
will certainly help us get back to the top level of NAIA
play and advance into the postseason again."
The Lady Yotes look to bounce back after a 2015
season that saw them win 19 games. Under Mendiola,
the Lady Yotes have made six postseason appearances,
including the 2006, 2007, 2009, 2013, and 2014 CCC
tournaments; the 2007 and 2008 NAIA Region I
tournaments; and berths in the 2008, 2009, 2013, and
2014 NAIA Softball National Championships.
W hat a magical
opening season it
was for the Coyotes,
a season that was 37
years in the making after football was
cut at the College following the 1977
season.
Nearly 1,000 season tickets were sold
in two hours in March; a Tailgate
Zone at the J.A. Albertson Activities
Center was created, turning into one
of the biggest outdoor parties in
Canyon County; and a first month of a
season that was second to none.
Who would have expected two
blocked kicks in the fourth quarter of
a wild 35-34 victory at Pacific in the
season opener, then intercepting five
passes in a 31-28 victory over
Montana Western in the home opener.
Throw in over 500 yards of total
offense against Montana Tech in a 41-
25 victory that wasn't even as close as
the score indicated, and a final minute
for the ages during Homecoming vs.
Montana State-Northern, a go-ahead
touchdown and a goal line stop to seal
the 35-31 win.
In all, a 4-7 record might not seem
like much. But in a bigger picture, it
exceeded every expectation
imaginable.
The four wins were the most since
1974 - one of only three teams since
1962 to win at least four games. Of
the six other programs to start football
in 2014, the four wins were second in
the bunch (Southeastern of Florida
posted a 7-3 record as an
independent), with five other squads
combining for a 8-42 record.
In fact, a four win season is rare for a
start-up program. Since 2012, only
Lindenwood-Belleville, Alderson
Broddus, Florida Tech, and Reinhardt
won four or more games - nine other
schools failed to win more than two
games (four teams had winless
records). None of those teams played
a conference schedule, while the
Yotes played five ranked opponents in
arguably the best NAIA football
conference.
And the crowds, they just kept coming
to the tune of 4,500 per game.
Only Carroll College claimed to have
larger crowds in the NAIA than C of
I. In fact, the Coyotes would have
finished No.8 in the Division III
attendance; No.39 in Division II, and
No.93 in Division I (FCS).
A season under their belt, and returning
nearly the entire nucleus of a 4-7 squad
that played their first game in 37 years,
optimism is high for the Yotes. If the C of
I offense can become more balanced to take pressure
off the quarterback position and if the defense can
make adjustments after a rough first year, the Coyotes
could prove to be spoilers throughout the Frontier
Conference season. Conference coaches see the
potential, voting the Yotes sixth in the preseason
coaches’ poll.
The big unknown was the entirety of the Coyote
football program 12 months ago, as C of I was
embarking on their first gridiron campaign in nearly
four decades. The undersized group of primarily
freshmen stunned the football world in September of
2014 – first going on the road to defeat a senior-laden
Pacific University team, 35-34, and then returning
home to outlast a quality Montana Western squad
before a sellout crowd, 31-28.
In all, the Coyotes opened the season 3-1 – including
rolling up over 500 yards of total offense in a victory
over Montana Tech. The team pushed their record to 4-
2 in October, using a last minute touchdown and a last
second goal line stop to defeat Montana State
Northern, 35-31.
However, the rigors of the brutal Frontier Conference
schedule caught up with the upstarts – five total games
against Top-20 teams, including three of the final four
weeks of the season – as C of I closed the season on a
five-game losing streak.
The Yotes offense was solid, averaging over 200 yards
rushing per game and had three different players record
100-yard rushing games. The defense, which had eight
freshmen starters, struggled against the potent offenses
in the loop, allowing 492 yards per game – including
three games against Top-5 clubs in which they rolled
up over 600 yards in total offense.
In all, the offense should not skip a beat, as all 11
starters return and 27 players with game experience
provide a solid group to begin with. Key recruits in the
back field and at the skill positions will make the Yotes
even more explosive.
Defensively, the Coyotes will need to replace sack
leader Tyler Andreason and linebacker Kyle Cothern,
who each did not return this season. However, nine
starters return and 24 players with game experience is a
good base to begin with. Recruiting focused on the
defensive line and secondary, which should help the
club be more physical up front and have more size and
speed in the among the defensive backs.
The 2015 schedule is a mirror image of last season, as
C of I will play the same eight teams – including six
home dates at Simplot Stadium, where the Yotes
posted a 3-2 record and averaged over 4,500 fans per
game.
The Aug. 29 opener vs. Eastern Oregon (will also
travel to EOU on Nov. 7) is the earliest start date in
program history. The Mountaineers (8-3) are coming
off their best season in program history and open 2015
ranked No. 13 in the NAIA Top-25 poll. The offense
revolves around returning quarterback Zach Bartlow,
who passed for 2,318 yards and added 523 yards on the
ground, while All-America receiver Jace Billingsley
had 637 yards receiving and 891 yards rushing in 2014.
The EOU defense is paced by end Kyle Lanoue and
corner Byron Benson, who each earned All-Conference
honors. The Mountaineers return five starters on
offense and six defensive starters, but will need to
replace four of their five offensive linemen.
The Coyotes will play back-to-back home games for
the first time since starting 1977 with three consecutive
dates at Simplot Stadium, hosting former Northwest
Conference rival Pacific on Sept. 5. The Boxers (6-3)
rallied from a 0-2 start last season to earn a share of
their first conference title since 1952 – including a six-
game win streak. Quarterback Warner Shaw threw for
1,814 yards last season, but lost his top three receivers
to graduation. Defensively, All-NWC picks in
linebacker Jack Perez and end Jeff Bajoma return to
anchor front seven.
A week later, the Yotes hit the road, making the first of
three trips to Montana, meeting Montana Western (will
also host UMW on Halloween). The Bulldogs (6-5)
played two tight games against C of I last season,
rallying for a last minute November home win.
Western will have to replace signal-caller Tyler Hulse,
but leading rusher Sam Rutherford, who ran for 1,063
yards in 2014, is a good base to build on. The
Bulldogs also return two of the top linebackers in the
Frontier Conference in All-Conference picks A.J.
Wilson and Joe Coker.
Homecoming hits Caldwell on Sept. 19 and the
Coyotes did not duck the competition, as defending
NAIA champions and preseason No. 1 ranked
Southern Oregon heads to town (C of I travels to SOU
on Oct. 24). The Raiders (13-2) return six offensive
and seven defensive starters, but have to replace all-
everything quarterback Austin Dodge, who passed for
5,607 yards and 52 touchdowns in 2014 and
established career NAIA records for passing yards and
touchdowns. Gone are the top-two receivers from a
year ago, but SOU returns 1,000-yard rusher Melvin
Mason along with Matt Retzlaff, who had 56
receptions. Defensively, linebacker Joseph Lenlofi
anchors an underrated Raiders defensive unit that came
up big in the 2014 postseason.
C of I closes out the first half of the season on Sept. 26
at Montana Tech, as the Orediggers (1-9) look to
rebound after a rough 2014 season. Gone is the all-
time leading rusher in Tech history in Pat Hansen,
while Montana State transfer Quinn McQueary will
battle Dawson Reardon and Andrew Loudenback for
the quarterback spot, after the returning duo combined
for over 1,700 yards and 16 touchdowns. Defensively,
All-America linebacker David Meis is the key
component of the Digger front seven.
Following a bye week, the Yotes make the 700 mile
exodus to Montana State Northern for their first ever
game at Blue Pony Stadium. The Lights (3-8)
struggled last season due to a coaching change just
before the start of fall camp and never fully recovered.
Frontier Conference rushing champ Zach McKinley,
who tallied 1,425 yards in 2014, will be Northern’s
featured back, while All-Conference defensive end
Tyler Craig leads a defense that held the Yotes in
check in the second half of last season’s wild 35-31 C
of I win.
C of I returns home on Oct. 17 for a meeting with
Rocky Mountain, as the Bears (5-6) are coming off a
disappointing 2014 season. Rocky will break in a new
quarterback this season, but whomever wins the job
will have two-time All-America receiver Andre
McCullough to work with, as McCullough is coming
off an 87 reception season, good for 1,161 yards. All-
Conference safety Eric Buer and defensive lineman
Brendon Johnson key the Bears defense.
After return meetings against SOU, Western, and
EOU, the Yotes close the season Nov. 14 against
perennial Frontier Conference power Carroll. The
Saints (10-2) won the 2014 conference title and
advanced to the national quarterfinals, where they were
eliminated by Southern Oregon in a blizzard, 42-40.
Carroll returns six starters on each side of the ball –
including quarterback Mac Roche, who passed for
2,942 yards and 28 touchdowns, completing 67-percent
of his attempts. Defensive backs James Dowgin and
Shayne Durbin are key to the Saints success, as Carroll
must replace two-time All-America linebacker in Sean
Blomquist.
The Coyotes will host an intrasquad game on Thursday
afternoon at 2 p.m. in preparation for the season
opener, Aug. 29, vs. Eastern Oregon.
DEFENSIVE LINE: During the 2014 season,
injuries and depth plagued the Yotes throughout the
year – as C of I ranked seventh in the Frontier
Conference, allowing 213 yards rushing per game, and
finished sixth in the league in sacks with 17.
However, the key core of the group has had a year to
get bigger, faster, and stronger, while an outstanding
recruiting class has helped the depth – making the
Yotes front four look to be one of the most improved
positions on the team.
Returning tackle Josh Price is poised for a breakout
season after leading all C of I interior linemen with 57
tackles, including 9.5 tackles for loss.
“Josh has the potential to be an All-Conference player
for us,” defensive coordinator Chris Jewell said. “He
had an outstanding spring and has come to camp ready
to do some great things for us.”
Returners Talon Sudbeck, Trevor Smith and Zach Hall
all look to make an impact for the Yotes. Sudbeck
started at tackle last season and recorded 15 stops
while battling injuries, while both Smith and Hall saw
playing time as freshmen.
A trio of recruits also look to be in the mix initially –
giving C of I size at the tackle position – as transfers
Matt Crispo and Adam Kelsie, along with freshman
James Fononga, are battling for playing time right
away.
Crispo was an All-State lineman in the Utah high
school ranks, having played at Montana Western as a
freshman and redshirted at Weber State last season.
Kelsie had 11.5 tackles for loss at Orange Coast
College in California and redshirted a Valdosta State in
2014, while Fononga was one of the top interior
linemen in the Bay Area prep ranks.
“We are excited for our recruits,” Jewell said. “Both
Crispo and Kelsie have experience at the college level
and can step in and make an impact and I like what
we’ve seen so far from Fononga.”
The Yotes have further depth at the tackle position, as
senior Tony Torres returns after missing 2014 due to
injury, along with freshmen Zavior Cook and Geoff
Blackmore.
On the end, the Yotes will need to replace Tyler
Andreason, who did not return after leading the club
with five sacks and four forced fumbles.
The staff made a big change this spring, moving
leading tackler Jordan Vielma from linebacker to end.
The sophomore had 64 tackles during his rookie
campaign, including 5.5 tackles for loss.
“Vielma will be a huge asset to our defense,” Jewell
said. “His speed from the end will definitely make an
impact.”
Fellow sophomore, Taylor Oppedyk, had a great spring
and will be a physical force, as will junior transfer
Monte Huskey. Sophomore Trevor Henderson and
redshirt freshmen Kade Paulsen, Leroy Sisnett and
Kyle Ashby all have experience in the program and
will provide depth at the position.
Three Oregon All-State players in Landon Clark-
Gammell, Jose Reyes, and Jett McCoy, along with
local product Allen Attao and California native Nic
Maggio, will be looking to crack the two-deep roster.
“Fans will definitely notice the improvement from our
defensive front,” Jewell said.
LINEBACKERS: Exper ience will be key for the
Yotes linebackers, as the squad returns a bevy of talent
to fill the two spots in the middle of the field. The
group will look to improve on a defense ranked
seventh in the Frontier Conference in yards allowed.
"The Guys who have come back have worked really
hard," defensive coordinator Chris Jewell said. "It's
been super competitive."
With fifth-leading tackler Kyle Cothern not returning
this season and Jordan Vielma moving to defensive
end, the Coyotes moved two-sport athlete Troy
Carr from safety to linebacker to fill one of the
roles. Carr missed the first four games of last season
with injury, but averaged nearly six tackles per game
over the final seven contests, including a forced fumble
and three tackles for loss.
"Troy Carr has made the move from safety and is
doing really, really well," Jewell said. "At safety, he
was physical and stiff hipped, but now he is a fast
linebacker."
He is joined by returning backers Jason
Byce and Khallid Ransom, who each were in the
regular rotation. Byce finished his freshman season
with 39 tackles, including 2.5 sacks, while Ransom,
one of the 12 seniors on the squad, finished the season
with 37 tackles, including 4.5 tackles for loss.
Also in the linebacker mix is a pair of Mountain Home
products in Jake Hennessey and Ben
Ceccarelli. Hennessey, makes the move from offense
to defense, as the junior, who was a redshirt defensive
back at the University of Idaho in 2012, served as C of
I's back-up quarterback last season. Ceccarelli was a
mainstay on the Yotes special teams last season,
recording eight tackles and a pass break up last season.
"Byce and Ceccarelli have been phenomenal and
Hennessey has made the transition from offense to
defense easily," Jewell said.
Three newcomers look to make an immediate impact
after stellar prep careers, as local products Zach
Wagner and Dayne Jacobs are joined by California
recruit Nikolas Lyons. Wagner was an All-Southern
Idaho Conference pick; Jacobs was an All-Conference
player and had 101 tackles as a senior; while Lyons
was a two-year starter for a very good Notre Dame
High team.
"Wagner has been awesome, he's been everything we
thought he would be," Jewell said. "He was our biggest
'get' in recruiting at the linebacker position. We also
moved Lyons from safety to linebacker this week and
he has been outstanding."
Three other returners will be battling for a spot in the
rotation – sophomore Mikey Cooper and redshirt
freshmen Dakota Horsewood and Travis Mayer.
Cooper served primarily on special teams in 2014,
recording four tackles
"Every day someone is bumping up and someone is
bumping down," Jewell said. "The nice thing is that its
competitive and it's made coaching easier because guys
can't loaf and don't want to loaf because someone is
breathing down their neck to steal their spot."
DEFENSIVE BACKS: Depth was the biggest
concern for the Coyote secondary last season, as
injuries depleted the roster as the season rolled on.
That is not the case this season, as the C of I staff
focused much of their recruiting efforts to bolster both
the safety and the corner positions.
One of those recruits, safety Tanner Oshiro, has had a
great camp since joining the team when Menlo College
shuttered their program in February. The sophomore
recorded 17 tackles during his rookie season for the
Oaks.
Going head-to-head with the transfer is sophomore
John Hohnhorst, who had 14 tackles as a freshman
despite missing time due to injury. Also in the
immediate mix is redshirt freshman David Juarez and
true freshman Jaquan Mayberry.
“Oshiro has had a great camp so far and would be
penciled in as the starter if we began today,” defensive
coordinator Chris Jewell said. “I’ve been pleased with
the way Hohnhorst has played so far and the same with
Juarez, who redshirted for us last season and had a
huge spring. All of these guys have been competing,
as has young Jaquan Mayberry, who has been
competing for that spot as well.”
At nickel safety, returner Hunter Temple had a quality
freshman season, recording 40 tackles and a crucial
blocked extra point in the season-opening win at
Pacific. He is being pushed by transfer Julian Patton,
who had two solid seasons at Santa Barbara City
College.
“Hunter Temple continues to get better and better and
doing a heckuva job,” Jewell said. “But, he is really
being pushed by Julian Patton out of Santa Barbara
who had to miss last year due to injury.”
Cory Brady returns at free safety after leading the team
with 64 tackles and six interceptions, including three
picks in a home win over Montana Western. The
sophomore, who earned NAIA Defensive Player of the
Week honors for his efforts, has depth behind him in
Menlo transfer Michael Daw, Fort Lewis transfer B.J.
Newman, and returner Hank Boeger.
“Brady is playing well, but three guys are right with
him,” Jewell said. “Boeger had a great spring, and the
transfers Daw and Newman have pushed him (Brady)
to where he doesn’t feel comfortable in that spot and
has made him a better player. He has really risen to the
occasion – this spring he had a great spring and he has
just continued to blossom.”
Depth is key at all three positions, as returners Bryan
Dilworth, Jacques Carter, Drake Rigby-Willingham,
and T.J. Clarke are pushing to climb the depth chart,
along with newcomers Levi Keltner and Kade Eiguren.
The Yotes return experience at the corner position, as
returning starters Nate Moore and Grant Darrington
look for breakout seasons. Moore was C of I’s top
cover corner, matching up with the opponents’ top
receiver, and was among the Frontier Conference
leaders in pass break-ups. Darrington recorded 32
tackles on the season.
“Grant and Nate look to be our starters heading into the
season,” Jewell said. “Both had a great spring and have
looked outstanding in camp.”
Right behind the duo are three players, sophomore
Malik Whitfield and true freshmen – Morris Kroma
and Chris Waters. Whitfield, a two-sport athlete, made
30 tackles in 2014 as part of the regular rotation, while
both Kroma and Waters have impressive prep resumes.
“Morris Kroma was a huge get for us and has done
really well, as has Chris Waters,” Jewell said. “Malik
Whitfield continues to get better and better. We are a
good five deep at corner, guys who we feel really good
about putting in a game.”
Also in the mix is returner Trae Bishop, who was a
regular on the Yotes special teams, along with
freshmen Payton Wilner, Devin Gaskins, and Regan
Sondermann.
“The guys that are behind them, they are not that far
behind,” Jewell said. “Just about all of our guys we
feel we can put in a game and feel good about them.
Waiting in the wings are Payton Wilner, Devin
Gaskins and Regan Sondermann, local kids that are
going to be great and will be future really good Yotes –
it’s just that there are returners and others ahead of
them right now.
RUNNINGBACKS: The running game was the key
to the success of the Yotes during the 2014 season,
averaging over 200-yards per game. However, as the
season progressed, injuries depleted the stable of
backs, giving multiple players opportunities to shine.
This season, depth will not be a problem for the C of I
offense, as 12 backs are vying for playing time,
including four seniors.
“The experience we have in the back field is priceless,”
offensive coordinator Tim Keane said. “Every year we
are getting a little more experience. It’s great to have
an older group.”
Though quarterback Teejay Gordon led the Yotes in
rushing, Zach Garzoli was the top ground gainer
among the running backs. The sophomore had two
100-yard games and rushed for 559 yards and seven
touchdowns, but missed much of the second half of the
season due to injury.
Two seniors each had 50 or more carries last year, as
the hard-nosed duo of Ryan Texeira and Kyle Merritt
look to give C of I a change of pace. Texeira made his
debut in Week 5 and averaged over five yards per
carry, rushing for 332 yards, while Merritt had 209
yards in an injury-plagued season.
Fellow seniors Mike Johnson and Marzett Davis
provide speed in the back field and will be looked upon
for an expanded role in 2015.
“If you look at our tailbacks, they come in all multiple
shapes and sizes,” Keane said. “We have little quick
guys, and some bigger, stronger guys. It has been fun
to come up with some specific formations and
packages for certain guys based on their strengths and
let them do what they are suited to do.”
Three other returners are in the mix – as sophomore
Dakota Stallions rushed for 80 yards last season, Joe
Murphy used the year as a redshirt season, while Chase
Fiddler makes the conversion from the defensive side
of the ball.
Looking to make a splash will be four freshmen, all
who rushed for over 1,000 yards during their senior
year of high school. Josh Finley a 3A All-State pick
and Magic Valley Player of the Year; Jason Leach
rushed for over 3,300 yards over the past two seasons;
Colby Brown rushed for 16 touchdowns as a senior;
while Jake Thornberry split time between running back
and quarterback.
“We have a lot of tailbacks and that is what is going to
be fun this fall, is to figure out how to utilize all of
these guys,” Keane said.
OFFENSIVE LINE: For offensive coordinator , Tim
Keane, the new season brings a year of experience for
his offensive line and renewed excitement for the
potential of the offensive line.
Keane, a former lineman at UC Davis himself, returns
all five starters that helped the offense average over
200 yards rushing per game. Offseason workouts have
increased the size of the returners by over 10 pounds
per player, helping the crew match up even better with
the quality defensive fronts in the Frontier Conference.
“I am really excited as those guys worked so hard
during the summer,” Keane said. “We have NFL kind
of line – in the sense we have just 10 guys. It’s small
like an NFL roster, as they carry eight guys plus some
on a practice squad.”
Center Greg Dohmen is the anchor of the line and is
healthy after injuries plagued him during the 2014
season. The former Bose State lineman is the lone
senior among his peers.
“Greg is ready to go,” Keane said. “He spent the last
two months digging ditches and using jackhammers on
concrete, so double-days are easy compared to his
summer work.”
Guards Andrew Galloway and Dylan Garcia started all
11 games last season as true freshmen and earned loads
of experience. Galloway was busy during the spring as
a thrower on the Yotes track and field team, placing
fourth in the conference championships in the shot put.
“Galloway worked extremely hard during the summer,
working in a lumber mill from 6-to-4,” Keane said.
“And then he made the trip to Caldwell and came over
here to work out with us.”
Tackles Sam Zvirdys and Sam Ball served as the
primary bookends of the line as freshmen and both
players are bigger, faster and stronger heading into
2015 – with their key role keeping the quarterback
upright.
“With the work we have done, hopefully we are a little
bit better up front in protecting our quarterback,”
Keane said. “Their job is to keep him clean when he is
throwing the ball.”
Heading into camp, Keane has a full second unit of
capable offensive linemen – a luxury the Yotes did not
have during the 2014 season.
Center Hayden Paul filled in admirably during his
freshman season, earning loads of on-the-job
experience. At the guards, sophomore Jarrett Williams
and junior Alec Montelongo provide size and speed
and continue to press the starters, while at tackle,
sophomore James Roy and freshman Tyler Vorce look
to be impact players by the time their C of I careers are
over.
“Our guys have a really good work ethic and are down
to earth,” Keane said. “Camp to them is easy; these
guys are loving double-days in comparison to the work
they put in during the summer. It is fun to see their
development.”
QUARTERBACKS: Heading into last season, the
Yotes were excited about having a junior college
quarterback directing the offense. What they didn’t
know was that Teejay Gordon would break school
records for rushing yards by a quarterback and set
marks for completions, attempts and passing yards for
a season.
Gordon recorded four 100-yard rushing games in C of
I’s first five contests and finished the year with a team-
best 857 yards – tying a 1948 school record with 15
rushing touchdowns. He added 1,728 yards through
the air, completing 57-percent of his throws.
“We’ve tried to tweak things and add new wrinkles and
expand things here and there,” offensive coordinator
Tim Keane said. “Teejay has done an outstanding job
and was here all summer working and throwing. He is
poised to have a big senior year.”
With last season’s top back-up quarterback Jake
Hennessey moving to the defensive side of the ball, it
has opened things up for newcomer J.J. Hyde and
redshirt freshman A.J. Martin.
Hyde spent his freshman season at the University of
Utah before stepping away from the game for his LDS
mission. His 6-2, 230 pound frame provides a change
of pace to the athleticism of Gordon, with Hyde a two-
time 5A All-Southern Idaho Conference pick.
Martin got a year of tutelage in the system and had an
outstanding spring. As a senior at Idaho Falls High, he
passed for over 3,200 yards and 32 touchdowns.
“The fun thing about all of our quarterbacks is that
they are competitors,” Keane said. “They love to
compete. It’s really fun to watch these guys work hard
and make each other better.”
Redshirt freshman Tyler Cox also has a year in the
system and a feel for the offense, while true freshman
Drake Kuykendall of Orofino is coming off an
outstanding final prep season.
Redshirt freshman Tyler Cox also has a year in the
system and a feel for the offense, while true freshman
Drake Kuykendall of Orofino is coming off an
outstanding final prep season.
TIGHT ENDS/RECEIVERS: As the 2014 season
rolled on, the Coyote passing game evolved, with both
the tight ends and receivers becoming more and more
involved with the offense. This season, a balanced
attack is imperative to the success of the squad.
It starts at the tight end position for the Yotes, as over
one-third of all receptions last season were made by a
trio of C of I ends.
“Tight ends are one of those funny positions now-a-
days, most people don’t even know what a tight end
looks like anymore,” offensive coordinator Tim Keane
said. “We have some receiver tight ends, we have some
that are more fullback type tight ends. It’s fun during
the week to game plan to see how we will utilize this
group and see how we can create a mismatch.”
Leading the way is Marcus Lenhardt, who put together
one of the best seasons in program history. The
sophomore, who was the Yotes lone representative on
the All-Frontier Conference team and earned Preseason
All-America honors by multiple minor publications,
led the team with 43 receptions for 698 yards and two
touchdowns. His season numbers were second only to
the monster 1954 season by NAIA Hall of Fame
receiver, R.C. Owens.
Cole Maupin had a solid spring will definitely work his
way into the rotation, a season after making three
receptions, including one touchdown. Senior Andy
Forse served as C of I’s long snapper last season but
looks to be more involved in the offense, while true
freshman Tyler Reay adds to the depth at the position.
Ringo Robinson is the top blocking tight end of the
bunch, seeing the bulk of his playing time with the run
game, but made five receptions as a freshman.
"Our returners did a great job this summer working out
and I expect big, big things from them,” Keane said.
In the Yotes three receiver set, a deep group of 19 wide
-outs are battling for playing time – a huge mix of
returners, transfers, and true freshmen.
"So much of what we do at the receiver position in our
offense is run blocking, these guys need to compete in
run blocking to get themselves on the field and then we
can find was to get them the ball in the passing game,”
Keane said. “Our receivers have to be tough and
physically willing to block, because it opens up
everything in our offense.”
Returners Austin Diffey, Issac Gonzalez, and Zach
Cooper were in the starting line-up most of the 2014
season and look improve on their initial campaign.
Diffey was the Yotes top possession receiver, making
42 receptions for 404 yards and a pair of touchdowns;
Gonzalez was the primary deep threat, averaging 17.2
yards per reception; while the 6-foot, 4-inch Cooper
made 10 receptions as a big outside target.
Fellow returners Levi Elsberry, Charlie Shepherd, and
Lance Jones look to be more involved in the offense
after being key special teams players in 2014. Same
can be said for redshirt transfers Shane Robinson and
Colton Sweesy, who each had previous success at
former schools.
“These guys have been great, the receivers have got
tons and tons of reps in camp, a lot of 7-on-7, a lot of
pass routes on air with the numbers we have, which has
made each player better,” Keane said.
Four transfers hope to make an immediate impact and
shake up the rotation – juniors Terrence Young, Tyler
Higby and Broch Cliff, along with sophomore
Domenic Tolliver. Young, from Diablo Valley
College, had a dominant prep career where he had over
1,700 yards receiving and 16 touchdowns; Higby, a
two-sport athlete, was a key receiver at Santa Barbara
City College; while Tolliver saw action last season at
Idaho State and was an All-City selection in Los
Angeles as a prep. Cliff returns to the game after some
time off, but was a two-time All-Southern Idaho
Conference pick at Bishop Kelly High.
True freshmen will also be in the mix, as Zach Heinz,
John Horn, Haziel Ledezma, Jackson Thompson and
Scott Kautz look to get a grasp on the complex
offensive scheme. Heinz had a huge senior season at
West Ranch High, making 62 receptions for 847 yards
and 11 touchdowns; Horn averaged nearly 24 yards per
reception at Yuba City High; Kautz recorded over
1,700 all-purpose yards at Sammamish High; with
Ledezma and Thompson both two-sport athletes that
won sprint state titles in track and field.
“We brought in some new guys into the receiver group
and it has been fun to watch these guys push each other
in camp,” Keane said.
The unknown factor will be returning receivers Wes
Fitzpatrick and Elijah Carter, who each had season-
ending injuries early in the season. Fitzpatrick was
stellar in the season opener at Pacific, making eight
receptions for 131 yards, while Carter had 10 catches
before he was sidelined.
SPECIAL TEAMS: Improvement across the board
will be the key for the Yotes special teams in 2015,
especially in kick coverage, where the squad struggled
at times a year ago. New special teams coordinator
Kyle Greenwood has simplified the schemes and
responsibilities and looks for a big year from his crew.
C of I will have a new place kicker this season, as 2014
starter Luke Taylor did not return for his sophomore
season after making 34-of-38 extra points and both of
his field goal attempts.
Look for redshirt freshman Hartvig Bondo to handle
the duties – providing a big leg that could allow the
Yotes to attempt field goals at a longer distance (C of I
did not attempt a kick longer than 25 yards in 2014).
Bondo will share kickoff duties with two-sport athlete
Joe Bolin, who is also an All-Conference soccer player
for the Yotes. The duo will try to improve on a kick
coverage unit that allowed opponents an average
starting position on the 38-yard-line.
Holder Levi Elsberry returns, along with long snapper
Andy Forse, who will be pushed in camp by Taylor
Oppedyk and transfer Michael Daw III.
Punter Kevin McLemore will continue to be a weapon
for the Yotes after averaging 38.8 yards per punt last
season, including 10 balls downed inside the 20 yard
line. The senior used a great combination of traditional
and rugby punts last season, but will need help from
his coverage teams, as C of I’s net punting average was
just 26.6 yards.
In the return game, the Yotes will have options – a
great mix of returners and hopefuls.
Cory Brady was C of I’s lone punt returner in 2014,
averaging 12.5 yards an attempt, while also averaging
21 yards a kick return. Both Grant Darrington and
Elijah Carter also were successful in the kick return
game, with Carter providing an 87-yard touchdown in
the opening win over Pacific.
Returners Shane Robinson and Marzett Davis will also
be in the mix as a deep back.
Newcomers Tyler Higby, Terrence Young, and Morris
Kroma will push the veterans. Higby averaged nearly
25 yards a kickoff return and 16 yards a punt return in
junior college; Young averaged 24 yards a kickoff
return in junior college; while Kroma averaged 17
yards a punt return his senior year of high school.
LIVE STATS/LIVE VIDEO: Live Stats of
Saturday’s match vs. UBC-Okanagan will be available
online thanks to Eastern Oregon University at http://
portal.stretchinternet.com/eou/. No Live Video will be
available.
TIME TO OPEN THE SEASON: The Lady Yotes
open the 2015 regular-season on Saturday, playing the
first of five non-conference games, meeting British
Columbia-Okanagan at a neutral site in La Grande,
Ore. Starting the 27th year of the program, C of I is 10
-15-1 all-time in openers and will be looking to end a
three-match losing streak in opening games of a
season.
LAST GO ROUND FOR THE SENIORS: Of the 29
players on the C of I roster, only 11 are upper-classmen
– and of the 11, just four are seniors. The quartet –
defenders Aurora Ostalasa and Allie Swanson,
midfielder Sydney Woods, and forward Bri Blair –
embark on their final collegiate season, hoping to lock
down a second-straight postseason berth and the
squads first playoff win since 2008.
CONFERENCE POLL: Despite coming off a
postseason appearance and returning 10 starters, the C
of I was picked to finish sixth in the 2015 Cascade
Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll, announced Aug.
11 by the league office. The Lady Yotes, who posted a
7-6-4 record during the 2014 season, received 97 voter
points by the 12 league coaches. Defending CCC
regular-season champion, Northwest, claimed 10-of-12
first-place votes and earned the top spot, followed by
Corban and newcomer, Carroll College. Southern
Oregon was ranked fourth by the coaches, followed by
Rocky Mountain and C of I.
OPPONENT PREVIEW – UBC-OKANAGAN: C
of I hits the road on Saturday for their first-ever
meeting against UBC-Okanagan, a Canadian
Interuniversity Sport affiliate and member of the
Canada West Conference. The Heat (3-10-4 in 2014),
from Kelowna, B.C., have a 22 player roster that looks
to jump from a seventh-place finish in last season’s
conference table. Offense was the issue for UBC-O, as
the 2014 squad scored just seven goals in 17 games,
but return their top two scorers in Courtney
Hemmerling and Michelle Smith, who each tallied a
pair of goals. The Heat also will have a new
goalkeeper, as top net minder Christine Tallon has
graduated. UBC-O opened the season last weekend,
playing a pair of scrimmages against the University of
Calgary.
AGAINST A CANADIAN SCHOOL: Saturday’s
match marks the first time since 2008 that the club has
played a team from outside the United States. In 2007
and 2008, C of I played former NAIA (and now NCAA
Division II) powerhouse Simon Fraser – dropping a
match in 2008, but playing SFU to a scoreless draw in
2007.
SCRIMMAGE AT TREASURE VALLEY: The
Lady Yotes played the first of two preseason
scrimmages on Sunday, traveling to Treasure Valley
CC for a friendly. “The playing surface was extremely
thick and we had heavy legs,” head coach Brian Smith
said. “We played 25 players and did some good things.
Our first group played the opening 30 minutes and
created some outstanding opportunities and did not
allow a shot. The biggest key is that the health of our
team has been good and we are very fit. I am excited
heading into this weekend.”
ABOUT THE COACH: Head coach Brian Smith is in
his 12th season as the Director of Soccer at the C of I
and is in his fourth season as women's soccer head
coach. He currently has a 96-91-14 all-time record,
including a 14-27-5 mark with the Lady Yotes. As
head coach of the Coyote men's program, Smith was
named CCC Coach of the Year at the conclusion of the
2006, 2008, and 2010 seasons. He has coached 36 All-
CCC performers; 22 NAIA Scholar-Athletes; and four
NAIA All-Americans in his 11 years as Director of
Soccer. The USSF Class "A" licensed coach has has
guided his teams to four postseason appearances - three
in the CCC Championships and an NAIA regional
berth. In 2006, his men's squad advanced to the NAIA
Region I tournament semifinals, before losing to
eventual champion, Westminster, while in 2008, his
men's team defeated Warner Pacific in the CCC
semifinals, before dropping a 2-1 decision to
Concordia in the title game. In 2010, his men's team
lost a CCC semifinal to Warner Pacific in penalty
kicks, while last season, his women's squad dropped a
2-0 decision to Warner Pacific in the CCC
quarterfinals. Smith led the Coyote men to a CCC co-
championship in 2006, while in 2008, helped C of I to
the only unbeaten, untied regular-season in CCC
history in winning the South Division crown. Prior to
coaching at the College, the Boise native had a highly
successful high school coaching career, directing the
Timberline High boys program from 1999-01 and the
girls program in 2002 and 2003. Smith was named
Idaho 5A Coach of the year in 2001 and Southern
Idaho Conference Coach of the Year in 2003. A 1994
graduate of the College with a political science degree,
Smith was a four-year letter-winner and helped C of I
to a 35-21-1 record as a player for longtime coach,
John Calpin, earning All-District honors. He has served
as a coach with the Boise National Soccer Club; the
Les Bois United Soccer Club; and with the Idaho
Olympic Development Program - while currently
serving as a team coach with FC Nova and their entry
in the ECNL.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: For more on the C
of I women’s soccer program, visit the official
homepage of the Lady Yotes, http://yoteathletics.com/
index.aspx?path=wsoc&tab=1.
Date Opponent Location Time/Result
08/22 UBC-Okanagan La Grande, Oregon 1 PM
08/26 Northwest Nazarene ^ Nampa, Idaho 6 PM
08/30 Sierra Nevada Caldwell, Idaho 1:30 PM
09/01 Whitman Caldwell, Idaho 6 PM
09/04 Trinity Lutheran McMinnville, Oregon 12 PM
09/6 Linfield McMinnville, Oregon 12 PM
09/11 Southern Oregon * Caldwell, Idaho 2 PM
09/13 Oregon Tech * Caldwell, Idaho 12 PM
09/20 Rocky Mountain * Caldwell, Idaho 11 AM
Date Opponent Location Time/Result
10/02 Carroll * Helena, Montana 3:30 PM
10/03 Great Falls * Great Falls, Montana 3:30 PM
10/09 Corban * Salem, Oregon 3 PM
10/10 Northwest Christian * Eugene, Oregon 5:30 PM
10/16 Warner Pacific * Caldwell, Idaho 3:30 PM
10/18 Eastern Oregon * Caldwell, Idaho 2:30 PM
10/23 Evergreen * Olympia, Washington 12 PM
10/24 20 Northwest * Kirkland, Washington 12 PM
^ - Scrimmage * - Cascade Collegiate Conference Game
LIVE STATS/LIVE VIDEO: Live Stats and Live
Video of all four C of I matches at the Red Lion-
Anaheim Summer Slam will be available through Biola
University’s online portal at http://athletics.biola.edu/
sports/2015/7/28/SummerSlam2k15.aspx?path=vball.
OFF TO CALI/HISTORY AT TOURNAMENT:
The Lady Yotes open the 2015 season this week,
traveling to La Mirada, Calif., playing four matches at
the Red Lion-Anaheim SummerSlam. It marks the
fifth-straight season that C of I has competed in the
tournament, which features 14 teams. The Coyotes are
5-11 all-time in the tournament, going 3-1 in 2011, 1-3
in 2012 and 2014, and 0-4 during the 2013 campaign.
CONFERENCE POLL: The Lady Yotes were
picked to finish in a tie for second in the 2015 Cascade
Conference Volleyball Preseason Coaches’ Poll,
released Aug. 12. The Lady Yotes, coming off a 22-12
season, received three first-place votes and earned 108
voter points from the 11 conference coaches,
deadlocked with Southern Oregon in the second-place
position. Defending regular-season champion, Eastern
Oregon, claimed nine first-place votes to take the
preseason No. 1 position. Northwest University and
Oregon Tech round out the Top-5.
FIVE-SET MATCHES: Of the 34 matches the Lady
Yotes played during the 2014 season, 14 went the full
five sets, with C of I going 9-5 in the final run to 15
points. In fact, each of the final five victories of last
season was in five sets, including the semifinal and
championship victories in the CCC Tournament, and
three wins at the NAIA National Championships.
HOME SWEET HOME: Though they open the
season on the road, playing at home has been a key for
the Yotes, as C of I is a combined 117-9 in the J.A.
Albertson Activities Center since October of 2005 –
including a 73-match CCC win streak that was snapped
during the 2013 season. Overall, the Lady Yotes are
208-45 at home all-time, including a 156-21 record
under head coach Liz Mendiola.
OPPONENT PREVIEW – BIOLA: C of I opens
against the class of the Golden State Athletic
Conference, as Biola returns seven seniors from a
squad that shared the conference crown, qualified for
their eighth-straight NAIA Championships, and
advanced to the national semifinals. The Eagles (32-5
in 2014) return three All-Americans in middle blocker
Lauren Hoenicke (1.69 k/s, 0.77 b/s) and the outside
hitter tandem of Alyssa Mason (2.84 k/s, 0.54 b/s) and
Joclyn Kirton (2.75 k/s, 0.51 b/s). Biola swept a four-
set match from the Lady Yotes at last season’s
tournament and holds a 5-1 all-time series lead on C of
I.
OPPONENT PREVIEW – WESTMONT: Day 1
ends with a second match-up against a GSAC foe, as
the Yotes clash with Westmont. The Warriors (18-14)
are coming off a disappointing 2014 and lost a pair of
All-Conference hitters to graduation. Top returners
include outside hitter Taylor Beckman (2.25 k/s, 2.29
d/s, 28 aces) and libero Kami Troesh (4.13 d/s, 18
aces). It is the first meeting between the teams since
2013, with the all-time series deadlocked at 1-1.
OPPONENT PREVIEW – DAVENPORT: Fr iday,
the Yotes tangle with Davenport, from Grand Rapids,
Mich., for the first time ever. The Panthers (36-9) are
coming off a Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference
title and trip to the NAIA Championships. Despite
losing a pair of All-Americans, DU returns a trio of
solid hitters in Marcey DeHaan (3.12 k/s, 0.57 b/s),
Molly Lameyer (2.50 k/s, 0.44 b/s), and Krissy Dill
(2.67 k/s, 3.54 d/s).
OPPONENT PREVIEW – VANGUARD: The
tournament concludes against a third GSAC opponent,
Vanguard, as the Lions (25-13) are coming off a trip to
the NAIA Championships. Despite losing their top
two players to graduate, VU has a bevy of quality
players, including hitters Rachel Barker (2.03 k/s, 0.43
b/s) and Charlotte Heerlyn (2.22 k/s, 0.42 b/s). The
two teams have met four previous times, the last in
2013, with C of I holding a 3-1 series lead.
ABOUT THE COACH: Liz Mendiola is in her 15th
season as head coach at C of I and has posted a career
record of 327-120. She has recorded the most wins
and highest win percentage in program history, with
the 327 wins the most by a women's coach in school
history. Mendiola has been honored as CCC Coach of
the Year on eight occasions (in 2003, 2006, 2007,
2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, and 2013) and has coached 29
All-CCC selections, 14 NAIA All-Americans, and 18
NAIA Scholar-Athletes. She has taken the Lady Yotes
to the postseason in each of her 14 seasons as head
coach, including 13 consecutive berths in the CCC
Championships – winning eight CCC regular-season
titles (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012,
2013); six CCC postseason tournament championships
(2006, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2014); and the 2005
NAIA Region I title. Her teams have made nine trips
to the NAIA Volleyball National Championships
(2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013,
2014), advancing to the final site of the tournament on
seven occasions, and to single-elimination bracket play
five times – including an appearance in the 2011
national quarterfinals. Her teams won a school record
42-straight home matches from 2005-08; won a league-
record 73-straight conference home matches from 2005
-13; and have been ranked in the NAIA Top-25 poll
every season since 2005, climbing as high as No. 6
multiple times, as recent as the 2013 preseason
ranking. A native of Jerome, Mendiola graduated from
the C of I in 1996 with a degree in elementary
education, and taught kindergarten in Nampa before
becoming head coach in 2001. A two-year member of
the Coyotes, Mendiola set school records for kills per
game (4.86) in 1994, and holds the school mark for
kills per game in a career (4.46). She earned All-CCC
honors following her senior season with the Yotes.
Prior to becoming head coach, Mendiola was an
assistant at the College for four seasons, while
coaching club volleyball for the Treasure Valley
Volleyball Club.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: For more
information on the C of I volleyball program, visit the
official homepage of the Lady Yotes,
Date Opponent Location Time/Result
08/20 2 Biola (Calif.) La Mirada, Calif. 12 PM
08/20 Westmont (Calif.) La Mirada, Calif. 8 PM
08/21 13 Davenport (Mich.) La Mirada, Calif. 10 AM
08/21 8 Vanguard (Calif.) La Mirada, Calif. 4 PM
08/26 Northwest Nazarene Caldwell, Idaho 7 PM
08/29 Hope International (Calif.) Butte, Montana 1 PM
08/29 5 Rocky Mountain (Mont.) Butte, Montana 5 PM
08/30 Montana Tech Butte, Montana 11 AM
08/30 RV The Master's (Calif.) Butte, Montana 3 PM
09/3 6 Eastern Oregon * Caldwell, Idaho 7 PM
09/4 Walla Walla * Caldwell, Idaho 5:30 PM
09/11 Northwest Christian * Eugene, Oregon 7 PM
09/12 Corban * Salem, Oregon 5 PM
09/18 Evergreen * Caldwell, Idaho 7 PM
09/19 Northwest * Caldwell, Idaho 7 PM
Date Opponent Location Time/Result
09/25 Multnomah * Portland, Oregon 7 PM
09/26 Warner Pacific * Portland, Oregon 5 PM
10/02 16 Southern Oregon * Caldwell, Idaho 7 PM
10/03 Oregon Tech * Caldwell, Idaho 7 PM
10/06 6 Eastern Oregon * La Grande, Oregon 7 PM
10/09 Corban * Caldwell, Idaho 7 PM
10/10 Northwest Christian * Caldwell, Idaho 5 PM
10/16 Northwest * Kirkland, Washington 7 PM
10/17 Evergreen * Olympia, Washington 5 PM
10/23 Warner Pacific * Caldwell, Idaho 7 PM
10/24 Multnomah * Caldwell, Idaho 5 PM
10/30 Oregon Tech * Klamath Falls, Oregon 7 PM
10/31 16 Southern Oregon * Ashland, Oregon 5 PM
11/07 Walla Walla * College Place, Washington 7 PM