Sports Briefs

BASKETBALL

Eastern women open with exhibition

CHENEY — Eastern Washington takes the court for its first game of the 2023-24 season in a Sunday, Oct. 29, exhibition against Montana Tech, at 2 p.m. at Reese Court with free admission.

The Big Sky coaches’ preseason poll selected Eastern to win the conference this season.

Jamie Loera and Jaydia Martin were both selected to the Big Sky All-Conference preseason team. Loera, the reigning Big Sky Defensive MVP, returns for her second season in Cheney.

Cach Joddie Gleason begins her third season at the helm and returns 16-of-17 players, including all five starters, from the 2022-23 team.

The Eagles were 19-11 overall last season with an 11-7 record in the Big Sky.

CROSS COUNTRY

Eastern off to Big Sky Championships

MISSOULA — The Eastern Eagles head back to Missoula to compete in the 2023 Big Sky Conference Cross Country Championships, on the same course they raced on Sept. 15, finishing fourth (women) and second (men) at the University of Montana Open.

Eastern’s final tuneup before the championship meet was Oct. 14, when the Eagles finished 3rd (women) and 4th (men) at the Lewis and Clark C State Invitational in Lewiston, Idaho.

The meet will be streamed live on ESPN+, with the women’s 5K at 10 a.m. Pacific time and the men’s 8K at 11 a.m.

SOCCER

Eastern blanked in final two matches

CHENEY — Eastern Washington soccer closed out its 2023 season scoreless in the final two matches at home. The Eagles lost 1-0 to Northern Arizona on Oct. 20 and then 4-0 to Northern Colorado on Senior Day, Oct. 22.

Northern Colorado built a 3-0 lead by halftime, scoring twice in the first 15 minutes and added a goal in the 47th minute for the final margin.

Prior to the game, Eastern honored Kiara Matson, Corina Froehle, Madison Kem and Maddie Morgan as the team’s four seniors.

Against NAU, the contest was scoreless until the 77th minute when the Lumberjacks’ Avery Ott scored.

The Eagles finished the season with a record of 1-6-1 in the Big Sky and 2-14-1 overall.

TENNNIS:

Eastern to compete in Gonzaga Invite

CHENEY — Eastern Washington tennis travels up the road to participate in the Gonzaga Invite on Oct. 27-29.

It will be the team’s final competition of the 2023 fall schedule. The team will play matches throughout the three-day event.

The Eagles have hosted the Eagle Invitational and played in the ITA Northwest Regional tournament during its fall slate.

At the ITA’s, Eastern earned three wins in singles and two in doubles during the three days in Stanford, Calif.

VOLLEYBALL:

Eagles women down Idaho Vandals

MOSCOW — With a short road trip, Eastern Washington volleyball made sure to feel right at home in Moscow. Eastern defeated Idaho, 3-1, on Oct. 21, holding the Vandals to a .147 attack percentage.

Bri Gunderson led the team in scoring with 13 kills on a .571 attack percentage.

Erin McInnes added nine kills on .250 hitting. Makenna Collins tied for the game-high with 13 digs.

Eastern, 3-6 in the Big Sky and 9-12 overall, will be back at home for two games, hosting Weber State at 6 p.m. Oct. 26 and Idaho State on at 2 p.m. Oct. 28.

— Cheney Free Press