VOLLEYBALL

TWIN FALLS - North Idaho College dropped the first two sets to Southern Idaho three weeks ago, so dropping the first set on Saturday was apparently no big deal.

Yang Yang piled up 14 kills, six blocks and 14 digs as NIC beat CSI 19-25, 25-19, 25-17, 25-16 in Scenic West Athletic Conference volleyball to move into position to host the Region 18 tournament in two weeks.

If NIC (20-7, 7-1) can beat Utah State-Eastern and Colorado Northwestern on the road this Friday and Saturday, the Cardinals will host the regional tournament.

"It's a lot less stressful now," NIC coach Kandice Kelly said after the match. "This game was very stressful for all of us."

Janele Vogt added 13 kills, Sierra Pancho had 30 assists and five kills, and Emily Sarff had 20 digs for the Cardinals, who stepped up their play after the first game.

"We played so much better once we started digging a few balls and not missing some silly hits," Kelly said. "We had a lot of pressure on us too; hosting regionals was huge for us. We got beat the first game but the pressure didn't get to the girls; they didn't give up one bit."

Keani Passi had 13 kills for CSI (17-9, 5-3), which slipped into third place behind Salt Lake (21-6, 7-2).

WOMEN'S SOCCER

North Idaho 2

Gonzaga club 0

SPOKANE - Carissa Christensen and Aubree Mercier each scored goals in the Cardinals' win over the Gonzaga club team.

Christensen scored on a header off a corner kick from Demi Wignot in the 32nd minute.

The Cardinals (13-1-1) scored on another corner when Mercier soared above Bulldog defenders to head the ball into goal in the 83rd minute.

"It was a very well-played game by both teams, despite the rain showers through most of the game," said NIC coach Dan Hogan, who praised the play of sophomore outside backs Rachel Crawford and Nicole Medieros for sending crosses into the penalty area and then sprinting back to help defend against the Zags' three-forward attack.

The Cardinals travel to Moscow to battle with the University of Idaho's club team on Saturday at 11 a.m.

First half - 1, NIC, Carissa Christensen (Demi Wignot), 32:00. Second half - 2, NIC, Aubree Mercier (Kellee Tilson), 83:00.

Shots on goal - NIC 14; GU 10.

Saves - NIC, Allysa Howell 2, Lauren Gibson 4. GU, Kaitlyn Ballantyne 6.