Friday, May 9, 2014

Demarcus Lawrence Goes To The Cowboys

Boise State Third in the Nation in Attendance for Women's Tennis, Fourth for Men's Tennis

As Bronco Nation continues to venture out to other sports, Boise State is nationally recognized today for its men's and women's tennis programs.

Boise State ranked third in the country in attendance for women's tennis matches and fourth for men's matches.

Lady Broncos' Situation Is Simple...

Their only guaranteed chance at a conference softball title is if they win the remaining two.  Tough to do, which is why I said they needed the first--then a split would have been much easier.

But if Boise State splits from here, the only way they can win the title is if Fresno State loses both games to Nevada.

Thursday, May 8, 2014

Boise State Looking Bad in Three-Way Tiebreakers

Even though Boise State still controls their own destiny, they let the Aztecs catch them on the very first game of the series. 

The Lady Broncos have tiebreakers over both contending teams should it be a two-way tie.  But if there is a three-way tie, the head-to-head tiebreaker won't break it, because that would mean that San Diego State would have beaten Boise State 2 of 3 and lost to Fresno 2-3, and the Broncos beat Fresno State 2 of 3.

The next tiebreaker is how the teams did against the fourth-place team.  Unfortunately for Erin Thorpe's team, the Broncos lost all three to Colorado State, and two of three to UNLV, the teams that are battling it out for fourth place. 

Just as an FYI, Fresno State will win in the event of a three-way tie.  The Bulldog women beat UNLV 2 out of 3, while SD State lost 2-3, so if UNLV finishes fourth in a three-way tie, the Bulldogs are going to the NCAA.  Fresno and the Aztecs each beat Colorado State 2 of 3, and Boise State fell in all three games, so would be eliminated from that tiebreaker.  Then of course it would go to head-to-head between FSU and SD State, and the Bulldogs win that one as well.

So for the Broncos, it's win tomorrow or hope Fresno State loses both remaining games.

Lady Broncos Go Down Easy

1-2-3 in the seventh, and they allow the two-time defending champion and six-time NCAA tournament team Aztecs to remain in the Mountain West race.

 

Still 4-0

Six complete in San Diego.  If Boise State goes without a fight in the seventh, it will be a three-way tie between Fresno State, San Diego State, and Boise State.

The funny thing is that the Broncos will still be in control of their own destiny--win two and they are the champions.

SD State 4, Boise State 0

After five and a half.

The Aztecs have Boise State right where they want them.  A Bronco win would have eliminated them tonight.

Glover Thrown Out For Second Time Tonight

Glover had reached third with one out, and went home on a chopper right back to the pitcher.

Glover With A Hit

First Bronco runner in scoring position tonight.

First 1-2-3 for San Diego State

The Aztecs continue to lead 4-0 through five.

Still 4-0 After 4 1/2

Broncos have just two more chances to make this a game.  You can bet they'll face the same pitcher tomorrow, so they'd better solve her and quickly.

Third Wild Pitch Puts SD State Up 4-0

At least now the bases are empty.

It appears that it will be a three-way tie for first after tonight.  If the three teams finish that way, Boise State's season could be over, as the next tiebreaker is the result against the fourth-place team.  Right now, there is a tie between Colorado State and UNLV.  The Broncos lost all three games to the Rams, while Fresno and SD State each beat them 2 of 3.

3-0 San Diego State

and a runner on third.  Broncos definitely lacked the killer mentality tonight, and they're going to pay for it.

Boise State outhit to this point, 7-1.

The Cardinal Sin Results In A Run

No surprise there.  An Aztec single has the home team up 1-0.

First And Second, No One Out

Six hits now for the Aztecs with no one out in the fourth.

Leadoff Walk in the Fourth

Rebecca Patton just committed the cardinal sin--the leadoff walk, which drives managers crazy.

Broncos With One Baserunner Through Four

Timid hitting tonight for Boise State, which seems to be fooled by Aztec pitcher Danielle O'Toole.

Boise State playing anything but aggressive.

Patton Gets A Liner To Krieger

San Diego State has left five on base through three innings.  Hopefully, Boise State will get a chance to score at some point tonight.

Broncos With An Error And An Infield Single In The Third

They've put two Aztecs on base with two out.

Broncos Go Down In Third

Tara Glover got a hit, but she was thrown out trying to steal.

Still Scoreless in San Diego

Through two innings, scoreless, and Boise State's hitters have yet to reach base.  The Broncos hitting 'em right where the defense is.

SD State With A Baserunner Again

Hayley Miles gets an infield hit to start the bottom of the second--still no score in San Diego.

Fresno State Has Lost To Nevada

Champions take advantage of situations--we'll see how Boise State handles this news.  If the Broncos win tonight, they take sole advantage of first place, and would only have to win one of two after that.

Patton Works Through Trouble

Scoreless through one in yet another game Boise State needs to win.

Two Runners On in SD State First

Boise State has allowed a couple of singles as the Aztecs have a threat in the bottom of the first with one out.

Lady Broncos About To Go At San Diego State

I said earlier in the week Boise State must be aggressive, and go into this series with the attitude that they wanted to win all three.  They still might win the title with 2-3, but sweeping should be the goal. 

In a series with it all on the line, you have to play loose, and it's a lot easier to win 2-3 if you win the first one.  First pitch is coming up at 7 p.m. Mountain Time.

We Are Days From Finding Out if the Bronco Softball Team Has The Stuff...

If Boise State sweeps San Diego State, they will win the Mountain West softball championship.  That should be their goal.  Winning 2 out of 3 will likely get it done, but they don't want to leave anything to chance.

The Lady Broncos need to be aggressive from the get-go against the Aztecs, and take it to them beginning in Game One Thursday night.

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Torrez Earns Mountain West Player of the Week

Boise State catcher Hailey Torrez is this week's Mountain West Conference Softball Player of the Week, the league office announced.  Torrez propelled the Broncos to a 4-0 record and a crucial sweep of New Mexico, batting .533 (8-15) with two home runs and nine runs batted in.

The Broncos moved into a tie for first place as a result, and can win the league with a sweep at San Diego State.

Monday, May 5, 2014

Broncos Shine in Stanford

In addition to Emma Bates' feats, Marisa Howard broke the school record in the steeplechase with a time of 10:00.79.  Howard now owns the seventh-best time in the NCAA this year.

Zach Wiles finished the men's steeple in 8:50.46 to finish 11th in a field filled with professional runners.

Howard and Wiles now have the top times in the Mountain West in their respective events, and Bates has the top times in both the 5,000 and 10,000.  Bates now ranks second in the 10,000 and fifth in the 5,000, while Wiles ranks sixth in the NCAA and Howard is seventh in the nation.

The Bronco track team is readying for the Mountain West Championships beginning next Wednesday in Laramie, Wyoming.

Boise State's Emma Bates Runs 12th-Fastest Women's 10,000 in Collegiate History

Emma Bates continues to get better.
Emma Bates
The amazing Bronco long-distance runner posted the 12th-fastest women's 10,000 in NCAA history last night at the Payton Jordan Cardinal Invitational  in Stanford, California, shattering school and Mountain West Conference records in the process.  Bates finished in 32:20.83 with the top collegiate time to place 13th out of 37 competitors in a field stacked with past NCAA champions and Olympic medalists.  Bates now hold the conference records in both the 5,000 and 10,000.
 

Sunday, May 4, 2014

Colorado State Beats Fresno State 8-7

Your Boise State softball team is now tied for first place in the Mountain West, and now control their own destiny.  If the Broncos take care of third-place San Diego State, they will win the pennant.

San Diego State Beats San Jose State

The Aztecs beat San Jose State 5-3 to remain one game back of Boise State and in the hunt for yet another conference title.

Dramatic Broncos Do It Again

That's one way to beat a 16-36 team.  Or rather, do it twice in a row.

For the second consecutive day, Boise State homered in the bottom half of their inning to defeat New Mexico at Dona Larsen Park.  The Broncos jumped to a 4-1 lead, then allowed the Lobos to tie it, before a Mackenzie Whyte homer in the bottom of the seventh kept the winning streak alive.

Boise State moves to 14-7 with the win, and needs at least two wins at San Diego State next weekend to win the conference.

Broncos And Lobos Tied At 4

Boise State playing New Mexico like the Lobos are a contender.  The Broncos were up 4-1, but they have allowed three runs in the top of the fifth.  New Mexico now batting in the sixth.

New Mexico Grabs Lead In Game Three

Again, a game Boise State has to win, they are down 1-0 after two innings.  Rebecca Patton on the mound again for the Broncos.

Saturday, May 3, 2014

Boise State Softball Team With Legitimate Shot At Conference Title

The events of the past couple of days have put Boise State softball team squarely in the Mountain West Conference title picture.  Going in, Boise State was one of three teams tied for second place, one game behind league leader Fresno State.

And, although the Bulldog women haven't lost, the other two teams tied with Boise State (Colorado State and San Diego State) have.  So, headed into Sunday's games, Boise State is now all alone in second place.  We said a couple of weeks ago that Boise State probably needed to win out through this weekend, and then take two of three in San Diego to have a realistic chance.  That they have done.  Even with that, probably the best Boise State can hope for is a playoff for the league title.

If Boise State can get it done tomorrow, the Broncos will probably be in of shape as they have ever had in program history to take home a conference title.  And all this without the injured Devon Bridges.  No matter what happens, the team has done amazing in her absence to be a strong contender with one week remaining in the season.  There was a time a few years ago in which the Lady Broncos were in a similar position.

That year, Boise State had to sweep San Diego State in San Diego to tie for the title.  The Broncos won the first two, but then fell hard in the third game.  This year is a little different, if only because it is Fresno State, not the Aztecs, who are in first.  SD State is still a strong contender, but not the dominant team they were the last time the Broncos made a serious run.

Fresno State plays at Nevada for three--you have to figure the Bulldogs will win at least one if not two in Reno.  So I figure the Bulldogs definitely have the upper hand unless they lose tomorrow.  In playing out the scenario from a Bronco point of view, I figured FSU would lose one to contender Colorado State, and so far, that hasn't happened. 

At the minimum, what we said several weeks ago holds true--Boise State must win tomorrow afternoon ( and if you can go support the team, please do--it may make the difference!), and they must win two of three in San Diego.  What could change from that prediction is that Fresno may sweep Colorado State.  If they do, Boise State probably needs a sweep in San Diego to tie Fresno for the title.  Should that occur, there is no playoff and Boise State holds the tiebreaker over Fresno State since they beat the Bulldogs two out of three games this season.

We will know if the added requirement of a sweep is in place after tomorrow's games.  If Boise State brings the bats to San Diego, I think that a two-fer is definitely a possibility.

McCray Homer Sends Broncos Home A Winner

Brittany McCray's two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth inning gave Boise State a 7-5 win over New Mexico this afternoon in Boise.  The Broncos are now 13-7 in Mountain West play, one game behind Fresno State and all alone in second place.

Boise State Goes Meekly In Bottom Of Seventh

1-2-3.  New Mexico bats in the eighth.

San Jose State Upsets San Diego State

Good news out of California--San Diego State, the team tied with Boise State for second, has lost today.  The Aztecs fell to San Jose State 5-0.

First-place Fresno State is leading Colorado State 7-2 in the seventh.

Finally...

Boise State stopped New Mexico, not to win the game, but after they had scored three runs to tie it and loaded the bases with three more.  Broncos bat in the bottom of the seventh.

Patton Has Allowed Four Singles And A Walk

That is how New Mexico has made the comeback.  If Boise State loses, they are likely out of the running for a conference title.  They would have to sweep perennial contender San Diego State in San Diego next weekend, and this is very unlikely.

Single Ties The Game

As we just said, a single likely ties the game, and that is what just happened.  New Mexico has scored three in the seventh.

Patton With A Strikeout

A single very likely could tie it up, but Boise State's Rebecca Patton got the "K".  Two out and the bases loaded in the seventh, 5-3 Broncos.

Here Come The Lobos

Three straight singles have made it 5-3 Boise State in the seventh, and New Mexico has the bases loaded.  Still just one out.

Boise State Leads 5-2 in the 7th

Broncos trying to get another win at Dona Larsen Park.  One out in the seventh, but two consecutive singles by the Lobos have brought the tying run to the plate.

Boise State Jumps Out to 5-1 Lead

The Lady Broncos continue to take care of business, leading New Mexico 5-1 in the 4th.  Hailey Torrez's grand slam in the second has been the big blow.

Boise State Harriers Score Three Wins at Idaho-Utah Border Clash

Boise State recorded three firsts at the Idaho-Utah Border Clash at Dona Larsen Park yesterday.

Austin Hamilton tossed a career-best 216-feet, 11-inches to win the javelin, while Matt Post won the hammer with a heave of 211-6.  Kimberly Miller won the women's long jump (18-11.25).

Action begins this morning at 10 a.m.  A ticket to the track meet also gets you admission to Boise State's critical softball game with New Mexico that begins at 3.

Friday, May 2, 2014

Fresno State, San Diego State Also Win

One less team tied for third tonight.  Fresno State rocked Colorado State 5-1, and San Diego State blasted San Jose State 8-3.  The Bulldogs remain perched at #1 with a 13-6 mark while Boise State and San Diego State are both 12-7.  CSU falls to 11-8 with the loss tonight.

Broncos Blank New Mexico 7-0

The Boise State softball team did what it had to do--win.  The Lady Broncos are not far out of first place in the Mountain West Conference, but the challenge is that there are so many contenders bunched near the top.

Boise State topped New Mexico at Dona Larsen Park tonight 7-0.  Rebecca Patton was on the mound for this one.  They probably need to sweep this series, and then win two of three at San Diego State next weekend.

Thursday, May 1, 2014

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Sunny Smallwood Named New Associate Head Women's Basketball Coach at Boise State

Former Bronco Sunny Smallwood is the new associate head coach for women's basketball; Smallwood was named to that position today by head coach Gordy Presnell.
Smallwood, who played for Boise State from 1979-1983, is a 24-year veteran of college coaching, and has a reputation as one of the top recruiters in the nation.  Smallwood replaced Ben Finkbeiner, who left to become his father Jerry's assistant at Utah State.

“Sunny is one of the premier coaches in the country and success has always followed her where ever she has been. Boise State basketball just got a lot better today,” said Presnell. “We are not only fortunate to hire such a quality person and a fantastic coach, but also a Bronco alum. She has recruited first-round WNBA draft picks, top-10 recruiting classes and numerous postseason honorees. She is one of the premier recruiters in the country and we are lucky she has decided to come home to Boise.”

For the past ten seasons, Smallwood has coached at the University of Nebraska, the last six as the associate head coach.  She helped the Cornhuskers to eight postseason appearances, with six trips to the NCAA National Tournament.  In six of those seasons, Nebraska won 20 or more games, including a 26-7 mark last season.  In 2009-10, Smallwood helped develop Nebraska into one of the top defenses in school history, as they finished 32-2 and won the Big 12 regular season championship.

One of the top players was four-year starting point guard Lindsey Moore, whom Smallwood helped recruit.  The two-time Nancy Lieberman Award finalist and 2012-13 national player of the year candidate earned All-America honors in 2013 and a two-time All-Big Ten selection.

Prior to her time in Lincoln, Smallwood coached at the University of California, where she was the 2004-05 associate head coach.  Smallwood helped California land one of the top 10 recruiting classes in the nation in her one season in Berkeley.

Smallwood was an assistant coach for 11 seasons at the University of Washington, and served as the recruiting coordinator during her entire time in Seattle.  Smallwood helped the Huskies to six NCAA Tournament appearances, including a trip to the Elite Eight in 2001.

During her time at UW, Smallwood helped recruit High School All-American Jamie Redd, UW's all-time leading scorer, and Amber Hall, the school's all-time leading rebounder, along with All-Conference selections Megan Franza, LeAnn Sheets, Loree Payne, Andrea Lalum and Giuliana Mendiola, the 2003 Pac-10 Player of the Year.

Smallwood began her collegiate coaching career at Washington State from 1990-1993, and helped the Cougars earn their first-ever NCAA appearance in her first season.

After earning all-academic honors at Boise State in two seasons, Smallwood became the head coach at Boise High School, leading the Braves to state tournament appearances in 1986 and 1989.

Welcome back to Boise, Sunny!

Boise State Opens With San Diego

The Bronco tennis team will take on San Diego (17-7) in the opening round of the NCAA Men's Tennis Tournament in Los Angeles.  #6 UCLA hosts Cal-Poly in the other match in L.A.

The pairings were just announced, and Blue Through and Through is bringing you this news as an Idaho exclusive.

Monday, April 28, 2014

Boise State Signs Two to Letters of Intent

Boise State head basketball coach Leon Rice signed two players to National Letters of Intent today.  We knew about Zach Haney.  It's the second one that was news.

Montigo Alford, a JC transfer from well-known power College of Southern Idaho is that second guy.  Alford averaged 15.1 points and 3.8 assists last year in leading CSI to the Region 18 Championship Game.  He earned All-Region, scoring over 20 points in eight games and hitting 44.2% from three-point range. 

Alford played high school basketball at Summit High School in Fontana, California, the same high school that Bronco cornerback Donte Deayon went to.  At Summit, Alford led his team to the CIF DIvision II Championship game with a 28-8 record. 

“Montigo has great quickness and athleticism,” Rice said. “He’s a little different than the guards we have in the program. He has the ability to get where he wants with the ball and create within our system. He has the chance to make an immediate impact because of that.”

It sounds like, with the additions to the program, Boise State will not have to worry one bit about depth or getting tired.  We look forward to seeing the improvements to the Bronco team.

 

Sunday, April 27, 2014

Tenreiro Closes Out Bronco Sweep

Thomas Tenreiro won the deciding match in Fresno, 6-2, 6-3, as the Broncos swept second-seed New Mexico 4-0.

BREAKING--Boise State Wins Mountain West Tennis Championship

Boise State scores a 4-0 win over second-seed New Mexico to win the Mountain West championship.

This is the second time in the last ten years that Boise State has won three consecutive conference championships in a row.  The Broncos won the WAC from 2005-2007, and now Coach Greg Patton's team has won three straight Mountain West titles.

Bettles Ahead 3-0

Andy Bettles also has a break at #1 singles, after winning the first set 6-3.

Tenreiro Up Two Breaks

Thomas Tenreiro won his first set 6-2, and he is ahead 5-2 in the second set.  If Thomas can finish out, the Broncos are Mountain West Champions.

Boise State Wins Five of Six First Sets

The Broncos playing much better today than yesterday.  Either that, or Nevada should be #2 team in the conference.

Mitchell Wins, 6-3, 6-2

Boise State leads New Mexico, 3-0 in the Mountain West Men's Tennis Championship in Fresno.

Patton Wins, 6-2, 6-4

Boise State is halfway there.

Boise State Grabs Lead In MWC Championship

Patton & McClain win 8-5 at No. 2 doubles, and Mitchell & Sereke win 8-4.  Boise State moves ahead in the match, 1-0.

Patton & McClain Get A Break Also

All three Boise State doubles teams are up a break.  Andy Bettles & Thomas Tenreiro lead 7-6, Patton & McClain are ahead 5-4, while Mitchell & Sereke are ahead 6-3.

Mitchell & Sereke Up A Break

Toby Mitchell and Nathan Sereke are now up 4-1 in No. 3 doubles, as Boise State tries for its third consecutive Mountain West Men's Tennis Championship.  Andy Bettles & Thomas Tenreiro are ahead 4-3 at No. 1 doubles.

Bettles & Tenreiro With An Early Break

Andy & Thomas have a 2-1 lead at No. 1 singles for Boise State.

Mountain West Tennis Championship On Deck

Boise State and New Mexico will meet for the third straight year.  The Broncos will have to play better than yesterday to win. 

Note:  the MWC Women's Championship is not over yet--expected start time for the Broncos:  About 2:50 Mountain Time.

Saturday, April 26, 2014

Boise State Will Play New Mexico for Mountain West Championship

The Broncos will be going for their second "three-peat" in the last ten years.  Boise State has won two consecutive Mountain West titles, and Boise State won consecutive Western Athletic Conference championships in 2005, 2006 and 2007.

The two teams will face off tomorrow at 2 p.m. Mountain Time in Fresno.

New Mexico Having Trouble With San Diego State

#2 seed New Mexico won the doubles point, but #3 San Diego State won four first sets.  Boise State will face the winner tomorrow in the Mountain West Championship.

Patton Wins Tiebreaker 6-3

Shame on the Mountain West for putting in a system where luck in a short tiebreaker rather than skill in a third set decides the winner.  Rain delay or no rain delay, that isn't how you decide championships.

Boise State emerges with a 4-2 win in a match much, much closer than that.

Patton Rallies To Lead Tiebreaker

Patton now has a narrow 4-3 lead--no indication on who has next serve, but he was down 2-1 in the tiebreaker earlier, so he has at least turned it around.  Mitchell one game away from losing second set and going to a tiebreaker.

Mitchell Loses A Break

Toby is now down 5-4 in the second set, and could face a tiebreaker at No. 6 singles.  26-4 Boise State is now in real trouble.

Tenreiro Wins 6-1, 6-4

Thomas came through like a charm.  He has given Boise State a 3-2 lead.  Garrett Patton is in a tiebreaker at No. 4 singles.  Toby Mitchell leads his second set 4-3 after winning the first, 6-2.

Tenreiro Wins First Set 6-1

That gives Boise State four wins in the opening set. But, as we pointed out earlier, that doesn't matter in the delay-abbreviated format that the teams must use.

Three Broncos Win Opening Sets

Three Bronco singles players have won opening sets.  That's how many Boise State needs to advance in the Mountain West Men's Tennis Championships in Fresno, California, but it would be nice to have some cushion.

Nathan Sereke won 6-2 at No. 2 singles, Garrett Patton won 6-4 at No. 4, and Toby Mitchell won at No. 6 singles, 6-2.
 

Official: Bronco Women Are Out

The #4 seed goes down in the Mountain West Conference Women's Tennis Championships.  Wyoming upset the Broncos 4-3.

Boise State let one get away from them.

Bronco Men Win The Doubles Point

Boise State leads Nevada 1-0 in the semifinals of the men's tennis tournament in Fresno.

Reid and Foley Get a Break

Aidan Reid and Brian Foley have scored a break at No. 3 doubles and lead 7-4.  The #1 team of Bettles & Tenreiro is down by the same 7-4 score.

Sereke & Mitchell Win 8-1

The No. 2 doubles team of Boise State has won in Fresno.  The No. 1 team still down, and no breaks in No. 3 doubles.

The Good News & The Bad News...

The Bronco men have finally taken to the court, nearly two hours later than scheduled because of the delays in the womens' matches.

Boise State's #2 doubles team of Nathan Sereke and Toby Mitchell are leading 6-1, and the #3 doubles team of Aidan Reid and Brian Foley is leading their Nevada opponents 5-4.

The bad news:  Boise State's ace doubles team of Andy Bettles and Thomas Tenreiro is losing 6-3.

Watson Loses Five Consecutive Points to Lose Match

It was that kind of match today for Boise State's Sammie Watson.  She won her opening set 6-0 and was headed for an easy win.  However, she lost her second set 7-6.  In the tiebreaker, she broke her opponent's service twice to lead 5-2.  She was one point from winning her match and sending her Bronco teammates to the semifinals.

But then, she lost five straight points to lose her match, and now, Boise State and Wyoming must play doubles to decide the match.  The format will be:  the top two doubles teams play each other in a winner-take-all one set (necessitated by the lack of facilities in Fresno).  If each team wins a match, the third doubles team will then play to decide the match.

Can't we just have a regular tennis match?

Watson Loses Again

Sammie has lost her 5-2 lead and is now down 6-5 in the tiebreaker to decide the match between Boise State and Wyoming.  If the Wyoming player wins, more delays (the two teams will move to doubles) in a disastrous Mountain West Championships in Fresno.

Watson Loses One of Her Breaks

Sammie Watson was up 5-2 serving for her match and the win for the Broncos.  She lost, and her opponent held serve, so now the lead is tenuous at 5-4.  Watson again serving for the match.

Watson Up Two Break Points

Sammie Watson has come back to lead the tiebreaker at #6 singles, 4-1.  If Watson can hold on, Boise State will win the quarterfinal match.

The winner plays the winner of the Fresno State-UNLV match.  The Bulldog women are seeded #1, but having a tough time with the #8 seed.  UNLV was up 3-1, but the home team has rallied to tie the match at 3 and send it to doubles.

LaLone Wins 6-2 Tiebreaker, Boise State Leads Wyoming 3-2

The two teams will have to play doubles, thereby extending the already cramped time for the other conference teams, unless Boise State wins at #6 singles.  Sammie Watson was up 6-0, but lost the tiebreaker for the second set, 7-4.  The two players will now move to a tiebreaker to determine the winner of that match.  And again, if Espinosa wins, the two teams will then have to play doubles to decide the match.

The teams are playing at a Sport & Racquet Club--Fresno isn't blessed with a facility as fine as the Appleton Center at Boise State.  So the eleven teams in both men's and women's tennis are all there waiting to play.  In fact, the Boise State men were due to play at 2 p.m. in the semifinals, but are already 30 minutes delayed.  The other semifinal match between New Mexico and San Diego State is also delayed, as are the other three women's quarterfinal matches.

Basil Loses

Morgan Basil has dropped her match, 6-4, 7-5 at #5 singles today.

This means that unless Wyoming's Christa Gecheva can rally, the match will have to be decided by doubles.  LaLone leads Gecheva 3-2 in the tiebreaker to decide the match.  Watson at #6 singles has been unable to shake her opponent in the second set after winning the first, 6-0, and trails 5-4.  That one may come down to a tiebreaker as well.

LaLone Gets Break in Tiebreaker

Megan LaLone got a service break in the short tiebreaker in the third set of her match.  She leads 3-2 trying to get to 6 points.

Boise State Struggling With Wyoming

Sandy Vo, who just won Mountain West All-Conference honors, promptly went out and lost to her Wyoming opponent 6-4, 7-6, in the quarterfinals of the MWC Women's Tennis Championships in Fresno, California.

Because of the rain delay on Thursday, they will try to settle this without playing doubles.  They are also playing only two sets in singes.  Should each player win a set, they will go to a tiebreaker.  If one team gets to four wins first, the match is over. 

Boise State currently leads 2-1, with the Vo loss the only blemish on the Broncos' ledger today.  Anissa Bryant-Smith had no such problems, beating her opponent 6-4, 6-0 at #2 singles and Teal Vosburgh won 7-6 (7-5), 0-6, and won the tiebreaker 6-0 at #3 singles.

Megan LaLone is trying to close out her opponent, but she lost a 10-8 tiebreaker in the second set (LaLone won the opening set 6-4).  They are now in the tiebreaker, and LaLone is down 2-1.  Morgan Basil is in a tiebreaker already, trying to keep from getting beat.  Basil lost the first set 6-4, but leads the tiebreaker 10-8 in the second set.

It appears that Sammie Watson may need to win at #6 singles,  Watson breezed through the opening set 6-0, but is down 5-4 in the second.

Broncos Get Three Wins at BYU Robison Invitational

Allison Jeffries, Brandi Williams and Daniell Zehrung led the Boise State contingent yesterday at the BYU Robison Track & Field Invitational yesterday in Provo, Utah.

Jeffries broke her own school record she set last weekend in winning the pole vault with a vault of 12-feet, 10.25-inches.  Allison has now won three consecutive pole vault competitions.

Williams won the long jump with a mark of 19-2.75, while Zehrung won the mile in 5:10.53.

Hayli Bozarth recorded the third best women's hammer throw in school history with a heave of 198-8.75. 

Friday, April 25, 2014

Women's Mountain West Tennis Championships Postponed

Weather in Fresno has forced the postponement of the Mountain West Women's Tennis Championships.

Boise State was due to play Wyoming today, but that match has been rescheduled for Saturday morning at 10 Mountain Time.

Boise State Slips To Fifth in MWC Women's Golf Championships

One round to go, and Boise State is now 12 strokes back of first-place New Mexico.

  New Mexico
+13 F   +6 295 294 589
2
  Fresno State
+16 F   +8 296 296 592
3
45 UNLV
+17 F   +2 303 290 593
4
  San Jose State
+18 F   +12 294 300 594
5
  Boise State
+25 F   +17 296 305 601
6
43 San Diego State
+26 F   +21 293 309 602
7
  Colorado State
+40 F   +17 311 305 616
8
  Nevada
+42 F   +22 308 310 618
9
  Wyoming
+51 F   +29 310 317 627

Bronco Women Fall Seven Strokes Back

Boise State was right in the hunt after the opening round yesterday at the Mountain West Women's Golf Championships in Rancho Mirage, California.  Today, the Broncos are slipping behind.

San Jose State has moved to the top at six over-par, with New Mexico and Fresno State both seven-over.  San Diego State has slipped to fourth (+9), with Boise State fifth at 13 over-par.  UNLV is sixth (+16), followed by Colorado State (+27), Nevada (+32) and Wyoming (+40) rounding out the field.

Thursday, April 24, 2014

Bronco Women Fire Record Round in Mountain West Golf Championships

Last year, Boise State surprised the Mountain West Conference with a strong finish, and nearly pulled out the championship.

The Lady Broncos are once again in the thick of things at this year's championship in Rancho Mirage, California, thanks to a school record 296 on the opening day.  The eight over-par score set a mark for the lowest round at a conference championship, breaking the mark of 302 set at the Western Athletic Conference Championships in 2011 and matched by Boise State at last year's MWC Championships.

"I'm pleased with the way we played today," head coach Nicole Bird said. "We got off to a good start with some birdies early on, which helped us when we made the turn. The weather was great, and everyone played really steady. We are excited about where we sit heading into round two - anything can happen."

The Broncos are tied with Fresno State for fourth place, just three strokes behind leader San Diego State, two behind San Jose State, and one stroke back of New Mexico.

Freshman Oceane Pelloille is in sixth individually with an even-par 72 today.  Boise State will tee off tomorrow morning at 8:45 Mountain Time.
 

Garrett Patton, Brendan McClain Win the Race to Close the Match

Patton won 6-3, 6-3, while Brendan McClain won his match, 6-2, 6-0.

Boise State will play #4 Nevada in the semifinals on Saturday; the Wolf Pack beat host Fresno State 4-1.

Mitchell Wins 6-1, 6-1

Boise State ahead 2-0 over Utah State in the opening round of the Mountain West Men's Tennis Championship.  Three Broncos have won five games in their second sets--if two of them win their second sets, Boise State will advance to the semifinals.

The Bronco women open play tomorrow against Wyoming.

Bettles, Patton, McClain, Mitchell and Foley Up Breaks in Second Set

All six Boise State singles players won their first sets, and now five have breaks in the second set.

Andy Bettles leads Denni Baumgartner of Utah State 6-1, 4-1 at No. 1 singles.

Thomas Tenreiro won his opening set 6-2.

Garrett Patton is up 6-3, 3-0 at No. 3 singles.

Brendan McClain leads 6-2, 3-0.

Toby Mitchell is about to put the Broncos up 2-0, leading 6-1, 5-0 at No. 5 singles.

Brian Foley won his opening set 6-4 and leads 3-1.

Bettles, Tenreiro, Mitchell and Foley Win First Sets

Top-seed Boise State won the doubles point and leads their quarterfinal match with Utah State 1-0. 

Andy Bettles won his opening set at No. 1 singles, 6-1, with teammate Thomas Tenreiro winning 6-2.  Garrett Patton leads 5-2 at No. 3 singles, and Brendan McClain is up a break 4-1.  Toby Mitchell won his opening set at No. 5 singles 6-1, while Brian Foley emerged with a 6-4 win in the opening set.

Boise State Men Win Doubles Point

Going against Utah State and former Bronco Clancey Shields (now head coach for the Aggies), Boise State opens play in the Mountain West men's tennis tournament by winning the doubles point:

Andy Bettles and Thomas Tenreiro put away Marcus Fritz and Fredrik Peterson of USU 8-4 at No. 1 doubles.  Toby Mitchell and Nathan Sereke won their match 8-4, while Brian Foley and Aidan Reid lost 7-5.

Opening Round Scores from Mountain West Women's Tennis Championships

#8 UNLV whipped #9 Air Force 4-1
#7 Nevada blanked #10 Utah State 4-0
#6 San Jose State rocked #11 Colorado State 4-0

LaLone, Vo Named To All-Mountain West Team

Megan LaLone and Sandy Vo captured All-Mountain West Conference tennis honors last night in a banquet in Fresno, California.

Vo was tabbed All-Conference for both singles and doubles, while LaLone earned honors for doubles play.  Vo was 19-8, including a 14-5 record at #1 singles.  Vo and LaLone teamed up for a 6-2 record at No. 1 doubles.  Vo's overall record was 15-9 in doubles, while LaLone's overall doubles mark was 15-12

Boise State plays Wyoming Friday morning at 11 in the MW quarterfinals.



2013-14 Women’s Tennis All-Mountain West Team
Singles
Tiffany Tran, Jr., Air Force*Sandy Vo, Sr., Boise StateSophie Watts, So., Fresno State*Rana Sherif Ahmed, So., Fresno State*Michelle Okhremchuk, Sr., NevadaSheila Morales Hidalgo, Fr., Nevada***Michaela Bezdickova, Sr., New MexicoLizette Blankers, Fr., New Mexico*Laura Antonaña Iriarte, Sr., San Diego StateKristin Buth, Jr., San Diego StateMarie Klocker, Fr., San José StateGaelle Rey, Fr., San José State***Lucia Batta, Sr., UNLV***Aleksandra Josifoska, Sr., UNLVMcKenzie Davis, Jr., Utah State***Veronica Popovici, Sr., Wyoming
 

Doubles

Sandy Vo, Sr. / Megan LaLone, So., Boise State
Anneka Watts, So. / Sophie Watts, So., Fresno State^Michelle Okhremchuk, Sr., / Sheila Morales Hidalgo, Fr., Nevada#Michaela Bezdickova, Sr., / Lizette Blankers, Fr., New MexicoDora Somoracz, So. / Hailey Johnson, Jr., San Diego StateMarie Klocker, Fr., / Gaelle Rey, Fr., San José State^Lucia Batta, Sr., / Santa Shumilina, Jr., UNLV+Veronica Popovici, Sr., / Dorottya Jonas, Fr., Wyoming
Player of the Year: Laura Antonaña Iriarte, Sr., San Diego StateCo-Freshmen of the Year: Lizette Blankers, New Mexico; Gaelle Rey, San José State

Five Broncos Selected To All-Mountain West Tennis Team

Boise State has some great talent on its tennis team, as evidenced by the Broncos' sparkling 25-4 record this season.  Five players on the team were named All-Mountain West Conference in a vote by the conference's eight head coaches.

Seniors Andy Bettles and Nathan Sereke and Garrett Patton, Thomas Tenreiro and Brendan McClain were all named to the First Team in a ceremony last night in Fresno, California prior to the beginning of the conference tournament.

Bettles earned postseason honors for the fourth year in a row, capturing All-MWC in both singles and doubles.  Andy is 23-14 in singles play, and is 23-7 in doubles action.  Sereke was tabbed all-conference in singles after sporting a 15-12 record.  Tenreiro made the All-MWC team in doubles with a 16-5 record in duals, including a 7-1 mark at No. 1 doubles with Bettles.

Patton and McClain teamed up for a 16-10 doubles record to each make the all-conference team in doubles.  

The #1 seeded Broncos open play against Utah State this morning.



2013-14 Men’s Tennis All-Mountain West Team

Singles
**Andy Bettles, Sr., Boise State
*Nathan Sereke, Sr., Boise State
Sai Kartik, Jr., Fresno State
*Victor Ouvrard, Sr., Nevada
Moez Chargui, Jr., Nevada
*Sam Iftikhar, Jr., New Mexico
Hayden Sabatka, Fr., New Mexico
**Thorsten Bertsch, Jr., San Diego State
Hunter Nicholas, Sr., San Diego State
*Ace Matias, Jr., UNLV
Denys Plume, Jr., UNLV
Tamas Batyi, Sr., UNLV

Doubles
^Andy Bettles, Sr. / Thomas Tenreiro, So., Boise State
Brendan McClain, Fr. / Garrett Patton, Jr., Boise State
Victor Ouvrard, Sr. / Robert Allan, Fr., Nevada
Sam Iftikhar, Jr., / James Hignett, Jr., New Mexico
#Thorsten Bertsch, Jr., / Hunter Nicholas, Sr., San Diego State
^Ace Matias, Jr., / Denys Plume, Jr., UNLV

Player of the Year: Victor Ouvrard, Sr., Nevada
Freshman of the Year: Hayden Sabatka, New Mexico