WSU FOOTBALL
USC game
carries more significance for 33 Southern Californians on Washington State
roster
UPDATED:
Tue., Sept. 18, 2018, 7:34 p.m.
By Theo
Lawson Spokane S-R
PULLMAN –
Skyler Thomas is probably the Washington State player least in need of a
tackling seminar after three games of the 2018 season. The free safety has
charted more solo tackles (14) than any of his teammates and more assisted
tackles (nine), making him the team’s overall leader with 23 takedowns.
Yet
someone’s still offering Thomas instruction prior to WSU’s upcoming game
against USC, and it’s not necessarily coming from a defensive coordinator,
position coach or team staffer.
Put it
this way: It’ll be especially important the redshirt sophomore from Riverside,
California, doesn’t whiff on any tackles Friday.
“Moms is
in my ear,” Thomas said Monday. “She’s just like, ‘We’ve got all these family
members coming,’ and I know a few people on the SC team, and she’s like, ‘Make
sure you tackle him, make sure you do this,’ because she kind of has beef going
on with the parents.”
Thomas’
closest acquaintance at USC is Stephen Carr, one of two primary running backs
for the Trojans this season. Thomas and Carr played in 7-on-7 scrimmages
together while both were in high school and Thomas recalls being present when
the former five-star tailback received one of his favorite college offers.
“I was
there when he got his SC offer. We were at 7-on-7 practice and he was like, ‘I
just got offered by SC,’ ” Thomas said. “He’s been real good since I’ve known
him. … He was a big-time player and I always knew.”
It’ll
probably be a bad sign for WSU’s defense if Thomas has too many encounters with
Carr on Friday, but the Cougars’ DB – maybe thanks to some more parental
guidance – will definitely be squared up and in position to make a play if the
USC running back does reach the defensive secondary.
“Moms is
telling me, we talked about it last night,” Thomas said. “She was like, ‘Make
sure you tackle Steve.’ That’s what she said.”
The
Cougars’ Pac-12 opener is meaningful because it’s the first of nine games that
counts toward conference standings. But, similar to how the Apple Cup excites
just about every Washingtonian on the Cougar roster, the USC game bears that
much more importance for 33 players who hail from Los Angeles, San Diego or a
close-by suburb of those two.
Thomas is
one of the 33. He attended Citrus High School in Riverside – about a 70-minute
drive from USC’s campus when not obstructed by L.A. traffic – and expects a
turnout of 15-20 family members for Friday’s game. The Cougars are limited to a
certain number of “player tickets,” so Thomas has been working diligently for
more than a year, asking teammates if they’ll be using their full allotment, in
order to accommodate his camp’s needs.
“I’ve been
trying to ask everyone for tickets,” he said. “People who are from California,
who aren’t from California. Everyone’s using their tickets this week, so my mom
just ended up having to buy a few.”
Eighty-one
players are on the Cougars’ travel roster, and only 26 of the 33 Southern
California natives travel. There are 55 players without direct ties to the
SoCal area traveling to this week’s game – and theoretically, plenty of player
tickets to be had.
Not
exactly.
“It’s just
tough because you come to find out, oh this guy committed those tickets to
another guy on the team in like August,” said defensive tackle Nick Begg, a
Rancho Santa Margarita, California, native. “Just about everyone on the team,
their parents want an excuse to go down to Southern California for a little
vacation and enjoy themselves. So everyone from everywhere is pretty much using
their tickets.”
The
Cougars have visited every other stadium in the Pac-12 since their last trip to
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, in 2013. Peyton Pelluer and Robert Lewis were
the only current players on the roster then. Both redshirted, but still
traveled with the team to witness a 10-7 win over USC.
The rest
of them get to experience the historic venue for the first time Friday.
“I dreamed
of playing in the Coliseum,” Thomas said. “But I dreamed of playing everywhere,
I just wanted to be a college football player.”
A few more
notes on Washington State’s connections to USC and Southern California …
Tinsley
Jr. and Tinsley Sr.
Washington
State backup quarterback Trey Tinsley is the son of a former USC passer. Scott
Tinsley was recruited by former Trojans coach John Robinson in the late 1970s
and played 34 games for USC throughout his career, completing 107 of 184 passes
for 1,320 yards and nine touchdowns during his time in Troy. Scott Tinsley, as
the New York Times wrote in one article, decided to move west from Oklahoma
City because “he became too much of a passer and not a quick enough runner to suit
the Oklahoma wishbone offense.”
Teammates
turned rivals
A handful
of WSU’s 33 Southern Californians attended the same high school as USC players.
At Bishop
Amat in La Puente, WSU wide receiver Brandon Arconado overlapped with two USC
receivers, Tyler Vaughns and Trevon Sidney.
Cougar
receivers Renard Bell and Jamire Calvin, along with nickel Halid Djibril, are
familiar with USC outside linebacker Hunter Echols, who played at their
Cathedral High.
Crowder
would not have overlapped with USC’s Ajene Harris at Crenshaw High, but WSU
defensive lineman Derek Moore played with Harris.
WSU’s
Jahad Woods and Mason Vinyard will reunite with four-star USC cornerback and
fellow Helix High (San Diego) grad Isaac Taylor-Stuart.
Fa’vae
Fa’vae, a WSU linebacker and Mater Dei product, will have a good pregame photo
opportunity with USC starting quarterback JT Daniels, standout receiver Amon-Ra
St. Brown, kicker Chase McGrath, outside linebacker Solomon Tuliaupupu and
offensive lineman Frank Martin II. All played for the powerhouse in Santa Ana.
St. John
Bosco, another L.A.-area power, is the alma mater of WSU nickel Kedron Williams
and USC’s Malik Dorton, Reid Burdrovich and Spencer Gilbert.
It’s home
Here’s the
full list of Southern Californians on WSU’s roster: Brandon Arconado (Chino
Hills), Nick Begg (Rancho Santa Margarita), Renard Bell (Los Angeles), Karson
Block (Mission Viejo), Jamire Calvin (Pasadena), Ahmir Crowder (Los Angeles),
Halid Djibril (Los Angeles), Cole Dubots (Temecula), Fa’vae Fa’vae (Carson),
Preston Hendry (Rancho Santa Margarita), George Hicks (San Bernardino), Brennan
Jackson (Temecula), Damion Lee (Palm Springs), Robert Lewis (Watts), Isaiah
Love (West Covina), Hunter Mattox (Calabasas), Darrien Molton (San Diego),
Derek Moore (Los Angeles), Dezmon Patmon (San Diego), Logan Prescott (La
Quinta), Syr Riley (Los Angeles), Liam Ryan (Chino Hills), Dillon Sherman
(Mission Viejo), Dominick Silvels (San Diego), Marcus Strong (Rialto), Kyle
Sweet (Rancho Santa Margarita), Skyler Thomas (Riverside), Jalen Thompson
(Downey), Trey Tinsley (Lake Forest), Mason Vinyard (San Diego), James Williams
(Burbank), Kedron Williams (Bellflower), Jahad Woods (San Diego).
…………….
Jason
Gesser resigns from WSU
Office for
Equal Opportunity intends to continue investigation into misconduct claim
By JUSTYNA
TOMTAS of the Lewiston Tribune Sep 19, 2018
Assistant
Athletic Director Jason Gesser resigned from Washington State University on
Tuesday, following a report of a new sexual misconduct allegation against him.
Gesser, a
former star quarterback for the Cougars, was placed on home assignment Monday
after the school’s Office for Equal Opportunity received a first-person
allegation of sexual misconduct.
In a
statement shared with other media outlets early Tuesday evening, Gesser said
his resignation is effective immediately.
“I am
deeply saddened that recent circumstances in my private life have created a
distraction for the department and university,” Gesser’s statement reads.
“While I certainly never intended to hurt anyone, I believe it is best for all
involved for me to move on.”
Gesser did
not return a request for comment.
A joint
statement from WSU President Kirk Schulz and Director of Athletics Pat Chun
states the university takes allegations “extremely seriously,” and the Office
for Equal Opportunity intends to continue its investigation.
“We
sincerely appreciate the courage it takes for individuals to come forward with
concerns of this nature,” it reads.
According
to the Spokesman-Review, Alyssa Bodeau filed an official complaint against
Gesser on Monday, stating he made advances toward her after a fundraiser in
Tumwater in 2015. Bodeau said Gesser placed his hand on her thigh and
repeatedly tried to kiss her after she had said no. Bodeau, a former WSU
volleyball player, was previously a nanny for the family (see related story,
Page 1C).
Gesser
appears to address Bodeau directly in his letter of resignation.
“To the
young woman that I made feel uncomfortable, I respectfully have a different
recollection of the situation you’ve described, but acknowledge that I should
never have been in the situation in the first place, and I apologize. I truly
never meant to cause you harm.”
The new
accusation followed reporting on a review by the school’s Office for Equal
Opportunity looking into Gesser’s behavior that prompted a 2017 investigation.
No violations
of school policy were found, but the findings were forwarded to the school’s
Office of Human Resource Services.
The review
looked into secondhand allegations that Gesser made inappropriate advances
toward female subordinates, including two interns.
The
school’s student newspaper, The Daily Evergreen, was the first to report the
story. Gesser addressed the reporting in a letter to the Evergreen, calling it
a “non-story.”
News of
Gesser’s resignation came as a surprise to WSU football coach Mike Leach.
“I didn’t
know he resigned, so that’s news to me,” Leach said at practice Tuesday. “I
mean, I overheard some of the stuff reported. I mean, from what I know, it’s
just word of mouth. Hopefully, none of it’s true.”
Gesser,
who made almost $84,000 a year, said in Monday’s statement that he’d continue
to be a proud supporter of WSU.
“This is a
very difficult time for me and my family, and I truly appreciate our friends,
including the incredible colleagues and alumni I have met through my time at
WSU. With this personal matter being made so public, it is taking a toll on my
family in this close-knit community. I appreciate your understanding for the
impact this has on them,” he said.
Gesser
thanked former director of athletics Bill Moos and former president Elson Floyd
for the opportunity to work at WSU. He also thanked Schulz and Chun for their
leadership.
“I
apologize to each of you for creating a situation that reflected negatively on
WSU in any way,” his statement reads.
Gesser,
39, grew up in Honolulu and began his career as a WSU quarterback in 1999. He
led the Cougars to two straight 10-win seasons in 2001-02. He remains the only
player in team history to be voted captain three straight years.
Known for
his toughness and beseeching leadership style, he is still revered by Cougar
fans for deciding to play a regular-season finale against UCLA despite
suffering a high ankle sprain two weeks earlier. Wearing a brace on his lower
leg and a bandage over his shoe, he led the Cougars to a 48-27 win that put
them into the 2003 Rose Bowl. It was only the second Rose Bowl berth for the
school in a 72-year period.
Gesser
graduated from WSU in broadcast communications in 2002 and has been a
sportscaster in both television and radio, doing color commentary for WSU radio
broadcasts for four seasons until being replaced this year.
He played
football professionally for six years, including one with the Tennessee Titans
of the National Football League. He also spent time in the Arena Football
League and the Canadian Football League. While with the Titans, he was cited
for a DUI in Honolulu in 2004, and eventually pleaded guilty.
Gesser
also coached football for eight years, including two seasons for the University
of Idaho. He served as interim head coach for the Vandals for four games in
2012.
Reporter
Dale Grummert contributed to this story.
::::::::
Vestal: Legendary WSU quarterback Jack Thompson’s
alleged comments in Jason Gesser case fit a pattern of cover-up
UPDATED: Wed., Sept. 19, 2018, 10:36 a.m.
By Shawn Vestal, Spokane
Spokesman-Review, columnist
It looks like a
textbook defensive maneuver, conducted by one powerful man in defense of
another – a maneuver executed in four simple words.
Stay in your lane.
This is what Jack
Thompson – the Throwin’ Samoan, a first-tier member of Wazzu football royalty –
is reported to have told a man who relayed sexual misconduct complaints about
former Cougar quarterback Jason Gesser, who had returned to Pullman in 2013 to
work for the WSU Athletic Department.
“Jack Thompson told
me to stay in my lane and his job is to keep this from the president’s desk,”
according to the investigator’s notes.
In the pages and
pages of records surrounding the Gesser case, Thompson’s comment was not the
most significant, perhaps, nor is he the person most responsible for taking
action, since he’s not a university employee.
But it seemed to fit
a pattern of a cover-up, which was emphasized by the acting athletic director
at the time, John Johnson, reportedly telling the same man: “I don’t want to
know anything” about the complaints.
But Thompson’s
comments, as reported, struck a uniquely disturbing tone at a time when sexual
misbehavior by powerful men is often smothered into silence by a tolerance for
sexual misbehavior among older powerful men. It looked like the purest
expression of that dynamic that you might imagine: A famous former quarterback
covering up for a younger famous former quarterback.
Thompson insists that
isn’t the case.
“The idea of some
kind of cover-up – I would never be a party to that,” he said.
As for the comments
about staying in your lane, he said, “That’s not true. That never happened.”
In an interview
Tuesday, Thompson talked about his friendship with Gesser, his response to the
allegations and how the news about a former WSU volleyball player coming
forward with a complaint Monday had affected him powerfully as well.
“That was a gut
punch,” he said, describing the allegations made by Alyssa Bodeau in Tuesday’s
Spokesman-Review. “I hurt for her.”
Thompson said he’s
saddened by the allegations against Gesser, who he has known for about 20
years, and to whom he is close. But he said that he did not act to impede an
investigation into the complaints.
“We love the Gesser
family, and my heart aches for them,” he said.
The university
investigated a number of allegations about Gesser’s behavior; it concluded that
he hadn’t violated university policy, and a spokesman has said it was unable to
investigate some of the cases because no formal complaint was filed. The Daily
Evergreen, the student newspaper, first reported the allegations last week.
Washington State
University placed Jason Gesser, a former quarterback and current athletic
department employee, on administrative leave Monday after a former Cougar
athlete came forward with new allegations that Gesser tried to force himself on
her after a fundraising event in 2015. |
Former Washington
State quarterback, and current athletic department employee, Jason Gesser has
issued a statement denying that he has had any inappropriate sexual relations
with interns or staff, and wrote that he will not allow his “name to be
unfairly smeared.” | Read more »
Washington State
University officials announced Thursday that they found “no violation of
University policy” regarding an investigation into alleged inappropriate sexual
conduct by former quarterback, and current athletic staff member, Jason Gesser.
| Read more »
WSU put Gesser on
leave this week – and he quit Tuesday – in response to the new complaint:
Bodeau, a 27-year-old former Cougar volleyball player, came forward publicly to
accuse Gesser of trying to force himself on her following a fundraiser in 2015.
She did so in a bold,
unignorable fashion, speaking publicly, by name, with her husband and uncle
beside her.
She changed
everything.
The investigative
files in the earlier complaints include an interview with Matt Almond, the
general manager of the WSU IMG Sports Network, which broadcasts Cougar games.
Almond told the investigator he had heard concerns about Gesser’s behavior from
“numerous people” over “a long period of time.”
Almond relayed his
concerns about Thompson to the investigator in an interview in January. He said
he was disappointed by Thompson’s response. “It didn’t make sense,” he said. “I
feel like I handled it appropriately.”
Thompson said he has
no memory of that.
“Categorically, I
don’t recall ever having that conversation,” he said.
Thompson said, in
fact, that he heard first about the allegations from WSU President Kirk Schulz,
and he acknowledges that he did not believe them at first.
“I expressed my
disbelief. No doubt about it,” he said. “I said, ‘I don’t believe that’. … But
I also said, ‘If the allegations are true, of course you’d have to fire him.’ ”
Thompson’s
responsibility here is symbolic rather than official. He’s not an employee of
WSU, not someone with the same institutional responsibilities as, say, Johnson
or Schulz. Almond’s interview paints a picture of upper-level administrators
really trying to wish a problem away. Johnson did not return a call seeking
comment Tuesday.
Gesser has now quit,
and WSU is investigating Bodeau’s complaint. Her courage forced WSU to reopen
the matter and has made it impossible for anyone to view the case in
dismissive, impersonal terms: Famous quarterback versus anonymous women.
Bodeau’s speaking out
was a reminder that it won’t be morally lethargic institutions, with their
teams of human-resources attorneys poring over the policies, who bring change.
It will be courageous
women, refusing to stay in their lanes.
::::::
Commentary:
Alyssa
Wold is a courageous Coug to remember
Jason
Gesser resigns following misconduct charges
By BARRY
BOLTON
Cougfan.com
9-19-2018
FORMER
WASHINGTON STATE volleyball player Alysaa Wold needs to know this: She is not
only welcome and wanted at every Cougar alumni event but deserves a standing
ovation when she walks into the room. Disrupting your own life to come forward
publicly and say a Cougar legend isn’t who we think he is doesn’t just take
guts. It requires a certain conviction and spirit that no one could probably
truly understand unless in her shoes.
But there
she was Monday, coming forward to tell her story about how Jason Gesser,
following a Cougar Athletic Fund event in Tumwater in 2015, made unwanted
advances on her. Her words weren’t just powerful, but a thoughtful and searing
indictment of Gesser, who subsequently was placed on home administrative leave and
then yesterday announced his resignation as an assistant athletic director at
WSU.
Here is
some of what Wold — who as a WSU student had worked three days a week for the
Gessers as a nanny — said earlier this week in an interview with The Daily
Evergreen about Gesser’s unwanted advances following that 2015 CAF event:
“I was so
confused and terrified in that moment. I purely want to help prevent this from
happening to more girls. He has to be stopped.”
“… he came
closer to me and attempted to kiss me again. I pushed him away and I said ‘no’
and he said ‘why not,’ and I told him ‘because I said no’ … I even told him
‘because you’re married and you have kids, kids that I love.’ “It was like he
just disregarded it all.”
“He slid
his hand up my dress and placed it on my butt. I pushed his hand away again and
I said no and continued saying no, and I felt so overpowered and I felt so
helpless. And then he tried again with both hands and slid both hands up my
dress and put them on my butt, and I kept pushing him away and telling him no
and he kept saying ‘it’s OK.’ ”
“I had to
cover my mouth with my hand and he kept pulling me in so close and was kissing
my hand that was over my mouth …”
“[Gesser]
ruined the school that I love and that I want to be an alumna in. I want to be
involved with the CAF, I want to go to the Gray W because I earned that, and I
don’t because I don’t want to see him, and I just want him stopped.”
“I
couldn’t see an article with his face in it without wanting to puke. I wanted
their kids to be in our wedding, I couldn’t even invite them to our wedding.”
I have
known Jason for many years, and had always liked him. And the fact WSU
President Kirk Schulz and AD Pat Chun came forward quickly last week to say WSU
had investigated sexual misconduct allegations (unrelated to Wold) against
Gesser and found nothing was a true relief. Here at CF.C we had heard weeks ago
that The Evergreen was working on a story around allegations triggered by two
male colleagues who thought Gesser was rising too far, too fast within the
athletic department. We made some cursory inquiries and found one allegation in
particular — which hit close to home — to be so entirely bogus we weren’t
surprised WSU’s inquiry found no grounds for further investigation.
Then
Alyssa Wold (now married and Allysa Bodeau) stepped up on Monday and told her
story. She didn’t just come across as credible, but incredible. She’s a bona
fide badass who said enough is enough. She stood up against the power structure
and reaffirmed the sheer power of truth and sincerity.
The
Spokesman-Review is out today with another troubling story about Gesser. And
who knows what tomorrow may hold. But it seems pretty clear Jason needs help.
He appears to think he’s so attractive to women that he can make advances at
will. In fact, he’s so ill that I know for a fact he’s blatantly lied about his
actions to long-time friends of his familiar with WSU’s initial inquiry. He
betrayed their trust and won't address his problem. It is my sincere hope he
seeks treatment and his family is held close by the entire Pullman and Cougar
community.
Yesterday,
following Gesser’s resignation announcement, Wold issued a statement that once
again highlights what a beacon she is for those who dare to speak out when they
know the potential for hate-filled repercussions on social media and elsewhere:
“It’s been
a long and difficult 48 hours, and an even more difficult three years. I’m
extremely happy to see that Jason has resigned his position of influence and
power at WSU. It’s a relief to know that no other young women will be subjected
to Mr. Gessers actions and abuse of power. I pray he gets the help he needs and
that his family can move forward. I also pray that this event will serve to
give encouragement to others. Staying silent is no longer an option. If my
story resonates with you, come forward. Bring it to the light so that we all –
as a community – can begin the healing process. And to my Coug nation; thank
you so much for the support. You are an amazing family.”
To Alyasa
we say this: You never led the Cougs to the Rose Bowl and you’re not a member
of the WSU Hall of Fame, but you’re a Cougar in every way and the trumpets
ought to play the next time you attend a Gray W or CAF event.
Bad
behavior against women has no place in this world. Alysaa -- married and
coaching college volleyball in Olympia -- could have stayed quiet and kept her
life running along as normal. She didn't. That takes incredible courage. She's
truly a Coug for the ages.
::::::::::::::
Easop Winston
has a knack for finding end zone
Cougs’
redshirt junior receiver is new go-to guy for Minshew in red zone
Redshirt
junior wide receiver Easop Winston Jr. dodges a tackle while running downfield
against Eastern Washington University on Saturday in Martin Stadium.
By JACKSON
GARDNER, Evergreen assistant sports editor
September
18, 2018
You wouldn’t
necessarily classify redshirt junior receiver Easop Winston Jr. as a “niche
receiver” — he’s much better than a receiver who would get that kind of label.
But
regardless, Winston has found a niche as the go-to guy in the red zone for WSU
football’s new graduate transfer quarterback Gardner Minshew II. And while
every Cougar wide receiver has to have a pretty extensive route tree — and
Winston is no different — he has begun to make his chips on one particular
route: the end zone fade.
The end
zone fade is designed to take advantage of man coverage that defenses will
typically go to in the red zone. And what the offensive coordinator and
quarterback are essentially saying by going to that particular route is, “our
wide receiver is better than your cornerback.”
That is
where trusting your receiver comes in to play.
“Easop’s
great, man,” Minshew said, following the 59-24 dismantling of Eastern
Washington University on Saturday. “He is a student of the game and really
understands how to run routes especially down there [in the red zone] when you
get man coverage. He does a really good job of attacking those guys and he’s a
guy we’ve got a lot of trust in right now.”
It is a
route that traditionally favors bigger-bodied receivers — say 6-foot-4-inch,
220-pound junior receiver Dezmon Patmon or 6-foot-3-inch, 185-pound sophomore
Tay Martin. And while Patmon and Martin are capable of running a crisp end zone
fade, Winston, at 5 feet 11 inches and 190 pounds, has been the receiver of
choice for Minshew.
It requires
good chemistry between a quarterback and a receiver: a good toss from the
quarterback to start the play, and a receiver who knows how to give himself
just a sliver of separation in order to pull in the catch to finish the play.
Obviously
these are skills that only come with extensive practice, something Winston has
under his belt. And the guys who are practicing with Winston every day can
attest to his ability of getting open in the end zone.
“He’s just
relentless, he doesn’t give up,” Martin said. “That fade ball, I’ve seen him
run it 100 times and it’s the same way. He just gets open. The guy’s a stud,
man.”
Sophomore
receiver Jamire Calvin agreed.
“He’s
faster than you’d think and he’s quicker than you’d think,” Calvin said. “He’s
better on the outside. He knows how to freeze the defender then get outside and
get leverage and be able to just catch the ball. He’s got really big hands so
catching the ball isn’t hard for him.”
Winston
scored his first touchdown via an end zone fade in week one against University
of Wyoming. Then his second came in the exact same fashion Saturday night
against EWU, and it would have been two if he could have pulled in a ball that
was just past his outstretched arms.
He has
been a viable option in the red zone. Head Coach Mike Leach attested Winston’s
success to his technique and being the best route-runner on the team.
“He’s
really good at running routes and he’s really good at coming out of his cuts,”
Leach said after Saturday’s game. “Technique-wise he’s probably the best one.
You know, the biggest thing is we got young receivers and a new quarterback and
those guys getting tuned in with one another is starting to happen slowly but
surely.”
:::
VOLLEYBALL
Cougars will face #13 Washington, #12 Oregon to start Pac-12 season
From WSU
Sports Info
NO. 22
WASHINGTON STATE (9-1, 0-0 PAC-12)
vs. No. 13
Washington (8-2, 0-0 PAC-12) | Fri., Sept. 20 | 8:00 p.m. PT
at No. 12 Oregon (7-3, 0-0 PAC-12) | Sun., Sept. 23 | 12:00 p.m. PT
>
Television | WSUCougars.com
> Live
Statistics | WSUCougars.com
>
Radio | WSU IMG Sports
Network
QUICK
NOTES
>>
WSU will enter this opening week of Pac-12 play after finishing 2-1 overall at
the WKU Tournament in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The Cougars placed second in the
nonconference tournament, defeating Northern Illinois, and Western Kentucky,
however falling to East Tennessee State for the very first loss of the 2018
season.
>>
The Cougars kick-start Pac-12 play this week and are currently ranked 2nd in
the conference in both attack percentage (.286), and block assists (185).
Cougars
Remain No.22 in AVCA Coaches Poll
Washington
State remains ranked the number 22 team in the nation after posting a 2-1
record against nonconference opponents in the WKU Tournament. WSU earned 207
points in the AVCA week four poll, and fellow Pac-12 members Stanford (2),
Oregon (12), Washington (13), USC (14), UCLA (17), and Utah (23) all earned
rankings as well.
Martin
Breaks Block Assists Career Record
Senior
middle blocker Claire Martin recorded block assist number 421, Friday, Sept. 14
against Western Kentucky to be come the all-time WSU Volleyball career leader
in the stat category. Martin went on to provide eight total block assists in
the match, and heading into Pac-12 play, currently stands at 432 total in her
career.
Mims,
Lajos Earns WKU All-Tournament Team
The pair
of seniors were selected as WKU All-Tournament Team members Saturday, Sept. 15
after the final match had concluded. Taylor Mims posted a team-high 42 kills
during the weekend, along with hitting .363 throughout the tournament. Ella
Lajos dominated on both offense and defense, recording 13 total blocks, 33
kills, and a hitting percentage of .369 during the weekend.
Brown
Records Single Match Career-High
The junior
setter tallied 47 assists in the five set match against East Tennessee State to
wrap up the WKU Tournament, a career-high for Ashley. The previous high came
during the match this season against Northern Iowa where she totaled 44 overall
in the victory. Brown enters this week currently fifth in the Pac-12 in total
assists with 391, and fifth in assists per set at 10.57.
WSU Begins
Conference Play
The
Cougars are set to begin Pac-12 play this week as they open up on the road
against #13 Washington, and then face
#12 Oregon in the following contest. WSU will continue the grind of conference
action, facing #23 Utah at home the following week, and host Colorado to wrap
up the weekend as well.
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