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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: YOTEATHLETICS@GMAIL.COM

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.

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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 jhughes@collegeofidaho.edu or (208) 459-

5917.

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"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.

http://yoteathletics.com/

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

http://yoteathletics.com/

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.

http://yoteathletics.com/

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,

http://yoteathletics.com/

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

http://yoteathletics.com/

http://yoteathletics.com/