After a trip through the salad bar the other day at the Best Western Inn Plus Coeur d'Alene Inn, here are some things we learned about North Idaho College's athletic teams:

FIFTH SETS are a bugaboo so far for the Cardinal volleyball team.

In the preseason, NIC plays its usual array of national-caliber teams at various tournaments. And while the Cardinals are playing these teams tough for the most part, they are only 2-7 in five-set matches.

"A lot of it is experience; we have a lot of freshmen," second-year head coach Kelsey Stanley said. "A lot of it is confidence."

Among NIC's five-set losses have been to Southern Idaho (ranked No. 1 in the NJCAA this week), Western Nebraska (No. 4), Missouri State-West Plains (No. 6) and Hutchinson (No. 7). The Cardinals beat No. 20 Casper in five.

In its last season in the Scenic West Athletic Conference before heading to the Northwest Athletic Conference, the SWAC schedule-makers did NIC no favors. The Cardinals open SWAC play Friday night at CSI, then travel to No. 8 Salt Lake on Saturday afternoon.

"CSI and Salt Lake are good teams," Stanley said. "Are they beatable? I think so."

NEW FACES abound NIC's golf teams, in their second year in the NWAC.

Two players from last year's men's team have moved on to four-year schools, and two freshmen opted not to return. The lone sophomore on this year's team is former Kellogg High standout Jesse Lambert, a transfer from the University of Great Falls.

Mackenzie Phillips, a Coeur d'Alene High product, is the lone returnee on the women's team.

THE EAST Division, which houses the NIC men's soccer team, is the strongest division in the NWAC.

"Spokane, if you walked by their team last year and then this year, they are much bigger and stronger, and have a lot more team speed," said Ken Thompson, in his fifth season as head coach.

Bigger, stronger and faster is something the young Cardinals are working to adapt to.

"The freshmen are definitely trying to adjust to the college game," he said.

THREE PLAYERS return from a stingy NIC women's soccer team that allowed a record-tying 12 goals during the regular season last year.

"We've got our work cut out (this season), because we've already given up nine goals," said Dan Hogan, in his 13th season as Cardinal women's head coach.

FAMILY TIES.

Returning sophomore Lucas Antunez, from Spain, who will take over at point guard this year, grew up with Domantas Sabonis, the Gonzaga stud sophomore. Lucas' dad played with Domantas' dad, Arvydas Sabonis.

The father of sophomore guard Kaleb Warner, a transfer from the University of the Pacific, played against Al Williams, NIC's athletic director, back in the day.

BRAINS AND hoop skills can go hand in hand.

At least that's what NIC women's basketball coach Chris Carlson, beginning his 12th season, is hoping.

"We look forward to getting a little better than last year," he said.

NIC, which normally battles for the conference title, finished fifth in the SWAC last year, "but we had the highest grade-point average that we've ever had," he said.

ONLY FIVE players, including three starters, return for NIC's softball team, which is gearing up for its second season in the NWAC. One of those returnees did a lot last year - and will be called upon to do even more this year.

"Look for sophomore Chloe McIntosh to lead on the field in several roles," said coach Don Don Williams, who started the NIC program in 1998. "She was one of our top offensive producers last year and played every inning at third base. This year she will be playing infield and outfield, and pitching some innings for us."

Williams is also counting on some local products to come in and make an immediate impact. The Cardinals brought in Abby Howard, Bryce Catt and Analisa Raynor from last spring's state 5A runner-up Coeur d'Alene High squad. And former Lake City standout Amber Hawkes returns home to help in the pitching circle, after attending Boise State for two years.

CUT AND paste - NIC's wrestling team is strong, and expects to compete again for a national title.

"We are looking to build the team around last year's All-Americans (Dajour Reece, an NJCAA runner-up at 165 pounds, and Jordan Cooks, fifth at 174)," coach Pat Whitcomb said.

Also back include Deondre Wilson (133), who was ranked No. 1 in the nation last year before suffering a torn ACL; Isaac Aguilar (125), a national qualifier last year; and Jordan Lacelle (184) of Moses Lake, who redshirted last year.

Mark Nelke is sports editor of The Press. He can be reached at 664-8176, Ext. 2019, or via email at mnelke@cdapress.com. Follow him on Twitter@CdAPressSports.