Allison (Walker) Baker- VolleyballRiding a three-game winning streak, Baker and the Vandal volleyball team got hot at the right time. Idaho downed two WAC newcomers this weekend and Baker had double-doubles in each.
In a five-set triumph over Texas State Thursday, Baker led all players with 19 kills, and was second among Idaho players in digs with 12. Saturday, the Vandals squared off with Texas-San Antonio, predicted to finish behind New Mexico State and Idaho in preseason polls. Idaho finished the Roadrunners off in four and Baker posted 29 kills, a career-high for the two-time All-WAC junior. Baker tallied 10 digs while hitting .350. The double-double was Baker’s 11th of the season.
“When she plays like that she is definitely one of the top players in the conference,” Idaho coach Debbie Buchanan said. “This is the first time we’ve had a more balanced offense where we can set other people and she doesn’t have to be the one to take all the swings. That’s huge for her to get 29 kills and hit over .300 and have a solid performance.”
Hannah Kiser- Cross Country
Though she didn’t defend her 2011 title, Kiser impressed this past weekend at the Dellinger Invitational hosted in Eugene, Ore. In an extremely competitive 2012 field, the junior finished seventh overall with a time of 17:05. Finishing ahead of Kiser, the 2011 second-place WAC finisher, were five runners from the University of Oregon and one from Southern Utah. The Dellinger race was Kiser’s second of the season. She was the top collegiate finisher at the Sundodger Invitational, hosted in Seattle two weeks ago.
Liz Boyden- Soccer
Idaho’s senior goalkeeper was the primary reason that the Vandals walked out of San Antonio with a 1-1 tie Sunday afternoon. After allowing two goals in a 2-1 loss to Texas State on Friday, Boyden saved a penalty kick in the second overtime period of Sunday’s match, preserving the tie. With the save, Boyden has foiled two penalty attempts this season and three in her four-year career. The preseason All-WAC selection has never conceded a goal from the spot.
“Liz did what she does best and kept us in the game,” head coach Peter Showler said. “I thought it was justice that she pulled off a great save and filled us with confidence again.”
