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Show Friday, September 8, 2000 Sports Wildcats looking to upset Rockets Page 6 By Scott Boyson asst. sports editor The Signpost Though the Wildcats played exceptionally well Aug. 3 1 in the 44-13 routing over Division II Western State Mountaineers, the 'Cats will have to play even better on Saturday when they take on the Division I-A University of Toledo Rockets. Last week, the Rockets defeated Penn State, 24-6 on their own turf running off 82 plays and dominating 40:19 of the clock, while the defense held the Nittany Lions to just 166 total yards. The 'Cats' defense will have the assignment of containing the "Rocket Man," Chester Taylor, who returns this year as running back for the Rockets. Last week, Taylor got off to a great start against Penn State, running 141 yards on 29 carries with two touchdowns. Although coach Jerry Graybeal has never faced the Rockets, he is 0-2 vs. Division I-A schools. Since 1962, the 'Cats are 3-30-0 vs. Division I-A opponents and have lost seven straight contests since 1993 when playing Division I-A schools. In their previous meeting in Toledo In 1996, the 'Cats were stung by the Rockets in the remaining seconds of the game when the Rockets capped a 10-play, 80-yard drive on a five-yard run with only 35 seconds left in regulation, winning 31-24. But don't count WSU out yet. The Wildcats snapped a six-game losing streak with MKKWl (Pi) 1-0 VS. 0M) 1-0 Kickoff: Saturday, 5 p.m. Location: Toledo, Ohio Radio: KLO 1430 am & KDYL 1280 am last week's win and made history when they recorded 533 total offensive yards, the most ever recorded by a Jerry Graybeal team at WSU. The previous record was 507 yards vs. Idaho State last year. With threats like last week's Big Sky Conference Special Team's Player of the Week Herb Craft, who returned a punt 62 yards for a touchdown in his first collegiate game on the four-year level, and 1999 California Junior College Player of the Year running back Johnnie Gray, the Wildcats are on the prowl and are looking to attack. Don't forget the senior duo of quarterback Cole Cooper and Jon Jefferson who hooked up six times against WSC capping a single game career high 127 yards for Jefferson. And believe it. The 'Cats are pumped. 'They're excited," Graybeal said. "They know this is a huge challenge for us." Though the challenge is apparent, Graybeal is more concerned about making sure his team gets something out of this week's game. 1 M" I v if -tti iC r-zzr i Third-year head coach Jerry Graybeal stands on the sidelines while several players catch their breath during one of the Wildcats' practices this week. "We have to come out of the game with positives," he said. 'There are always negatives and positives in a game and hopefully, the positives outweigh the negatives." One of those big positives is being able to make adjustments on offense and defense to catch the Rockets off guard. "I think we're looking at more things we can do offensively and defensively that create adjustments for them," Graybeal said. 'That's the biggest thing." Graybeal promises that the 'Cats won't lie down for the Rockets and be happy with just taking a few positives out of the game. "We're going to throw the whole play book at Toledo," Graybeal said. "We'll look at trying to be every bit as aggressive as we can against a physically superioropponent." nn hi Lady 'Cats hit the road After taking second place in the Wildcat Invitational last weekend, the women's volleyball team is headed to Colorado for the Denver Invitational. "The team executed extremely well against Portland," head coach Al Givens said, referring to the team's second game of the Wildcat Invitational.Givens is looking for continued execution this weekend. "It will be another competi tive weekend that will serve to prepare us for the opening of Big Sky league play next week," he said. The Lady 'Cats will play the University of Denver today, the University of San Francisco and the University of Missouri-Kansas City on Saturday. The volleyball team is hoping to improve on its preseason record of 2-1 , as it works toward conference play. "We have the potential to be real good, with continued improvement and consistent play," Givens said. Last weekend the Lady 'Cats relied on the efforts of sophomores Stephanie Metcalf, who leads all WSU players with 60 kills, and Becky Montague, who leads the team in hitting percentage (.410). Women's soccer hoping to break out of slump The Lady 'Cats have played in some tough games, but have not managed a win yet. There have been few bright spots for the women's soccer team so far this season, as it currently has an 0-4 record. Debby VudhiVadhana and freshman forward Natalie Hensley, along with junior goalkeeper Meagan Thunell have excelled for WSU. VudhiVadhana and Hensley have each scored two goals and have recorded one assist for the Lady 'Cats in the early stages of this season. Thunell has 30 saves, taking the top spot in the Big Sky in that category, but continues to lack defensive support. On Saturday, WSU will host the Creighton University Bluejays, who have also gotten off to a shaky start, with a record of 3-1 , most recently losing to the University of Kansas, 4-1. Creighton's players to watch for include sophomore Erika Sauerwein, who has scored two goals this season, senior Maggie Phelan and freshman Jaimie Thompson, who have split time at the goalkeeper position. The game will be at 1 p.m. on the P.E. Playfield, outside Swenson Gym. Miali wins Big Sky honor Senior setter Carla Miali was named Big Sky Player of the Week for her efforts at the Wildcat Invitational. Miali tallied 17 kills. 32 digs, four blocks and two aces. However, it's her presence on the floor that coach Al Givens appreciates. "She's got a great sense of where her opposition is and what she can do to isolate her hitters," he said. "She makes us a better team." There Culture in College! L3 We accept Medicare and Major Medical! Diabetic Supplies mailed directly to yourhome at low or no cost to you. Convenience and Savings! 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