Idaho linebackers on the hunt
POSTED: Thursday, October 15, 2009
With Hawaii up next for the Idaho football team, Robert Siavii got a surprise call from his mom.
“;My mom said (UH quarterback Bryant Moniz's) mom told her 'please tell your son to stay off my son.' “; he said. “;We were just kidding around, but I consider his mom my auntie.”;
The former teammates will rekindle a friendly feud Saturday that dates to Siavii's freshman season at Leilehua when the Vandals (5-1, 2-0 Western Athletic Conference) try to become bowl-eligible for the first time in more than a decade against Hawaii (2-3, 0-2) at the Kibbie Dome.
Siavii, who graduated from Leilehua a year after Moniz, played safety and linebacker for the Mules and went up against his good friend every day in practice for three years.
Now the two will hook up again with a lot more on the line as the Vandals, one of the biggest surprises in college football this season, look to extend a four-game winning streak.
Siavii, a sophomore starting linebacker, has been involved in more wins this season than the Idaho team had in its previous two years when it went 3-21.
“;It's real different around here,”; he said. “;Everyone has been giving us a lot of love around here, but we got one goal and one job (and that's) to make a bowl game.”;
For a team that hasn't reached the postseason since 1998, thoughts of making a bowl this year based on recent struggles seemed far-fetched.
But the Vandals have put themselves in that position with a stunning 5-1 start that has changed the atmosphere surrounding the entire Moscow campus.
Things are so different that Idaho, which has been outscored by the Warriors 165-47 in the last three meetings, is a 12-point favorite.
That includes a 49-17 loss at Aloha Stadium last year that Siavii and teammate Jojo Dickson, a 2007 Baldwin graduate, both look back upon harshly.
“;I saw our team pretty much take that game as a vacation,”; Dickson said. “;I seen the majority of the team slack off in that game and I do not want to let that happen ever again.”;
Dickson is second on the team with 33 tackles and has two interceptions, including one he returned for a touchdown. Siavii is fifth on the team with 28 tackles and sophomore Kama Bailey (Damien '08) is the team's leading kick returner with 295 yards.
For the Vandals to beat Hawaii this weekend, Siavii thinks it'll come down to pressuring Moniz, who he knows first-hand can shred a team's defense if given enough time.
“;I know when he gets comfortable and settles in he's going to be a great quarterback,”; Siavii said. “;I wish nothing but the best for him.”;
Of course, that doesn't include Saturday, when Siavii says he'll be focused on doing whatever it takes to keep the Vandals undefeated in conference play.
“;Before the game and after the game we'll be boys, but once that clock starts moving we've got to be enemies,”; he said.
“;So auntie, I'm sorry.”;
Ah-Hoy has career day
Oregon State senior Camilla Ah-Hoy (Kahuku '06) had a career-high 61 assists in a thrilling five-set victory over Arizona State on Saturday.
It was the first time in seven tries Ah-Hoy beat the Sun Devils, and Oregon State's record to improved to 11-6 overall and 2-3 in Pac-10 play.
Oregon State hasn't finished over .500 in Ah-Hoy's three previous years, but is currently five games over .500.
Ah-Hoy is averaging 10.31 assists per game and has 10 double-doubles. She also ranks second on the team with 181 digs, and fourth with 45 blocks and six service aces.
The Beavers have two tough home games this weekend against No. 5 Stanford and No. 14 California.
Billy Hull, Star-Bulletin
Notables
FOOTBALL » Washington senior Daniel Teo-Nesheim (Hawaii Prep '05) had five tackles and a key sack in the final minute of a 36-33 victory over Arizona on Saturday.
» Oregon State's David Pa'aluhi (Waianae '07) had six tackles and Aaron Nichols (Kamehameha '06) had a 12-yard reception in the Beavers' 38-28 win over Stanford on Saturday. Brandon Hardin (Kamehameha '07) added four tackles and safety Suaesi Tuimaunei (Kahuku '06) and freshman Kevin Unga (Kahuku '06) had two tackles apiece.
» Weber State defensive tackle Ryan Eastman (Saint Louis '08) was named the Big Sky Conference defensive player of the week on Monday. After missing the last three games due to injury, Eastman returned against Eastern Washington on Saturday and had a career-high three sacks and 3 1/2 tackles for loss. The Wildcats beat the Eagles 31-13 as quarterback Cameron Higgins (Saint Louis '06) completed 21 of 37 passes for 235 yards and two touchdowns.
» Texas Tech sophomore linebacker Sam Fehoko (Farrington '07) had two tackles and recovered a fumble in the Red Raiders' 66-14 victory over Kansas State on Saturday.
» Utah linebacker Kepa Gaison (Kamehameha '05) and defensive end Nai Fotu (Kahuku '07) had three tackles apiece in the Utes' 24-17 come-from-behind victory over Colorado State on Saturday.
» Linfield (Ore.) sophomore cornerback Nate Dixon (Kapolei '08) had three tackles and an interception, Ian Estrada (Kamehameha '05) had two sacks and sophomore Sparky Gonzalez (Saint Louis '08) had a sack in a 38-20 victory over Whitworth (Wash.) on Saturday. Freshman kicker Maika Kunioka (Leilehua '09) made a 30-yard field goal and was 5-for-5 on extra points.
WOMEN'S GOLF
» Pacific (Ore.) senior Jasmine Ching finished with a two-day score of 178 to finish in third place at the Northwest Christian Fall Invitational in Blue River, Ore., on Sunday. Junior Tami Park (Waiakea '07) finished in sixth place with a 188.
» Boise State senior Iris Ocariza (Moanalua '06) finished with a three-day total of 12-over 228 to finish tied for 41st in the Price's Give 'Em Five Intercollegiate at Las Cruces, N.M.
Oregon State sophomore Elyse Okada (Maui '08) finished tied for 61st at 12-over 233.
MEN'S GOLF
CROSS COUNTRY
WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL
» St. John's freshman Ashley Asing (Moanalua '09) had a team-high 13 digs in a three-game loss to Marquette.
» Nevada sophomore Tatiana Santiago (Kamehameha '08) had 39 assists and junior outside hitter Kylie Harrington (St. Francis '07) had nine kills and hit .160 in a three-game loss at Hawaii last Thursday. Freshmen Elissa Ji (Maryknoll '09) had two kills and Kelly Chang (Hawaii Baptist '09) had eight digs.
» San Jose State sophomore hitter Kristal Tsukano (Kamehameha '06) had eight digs and three kills in a three-set loss to Hawaii on Friday. Freshman Caitlin Andrade (Kamehameha '09) had 12 assists, 10 digs, four kills and hit .500, and Alex Akana (Kamehameha '09) had five kills.
» Washington senior libero Tamari Miyashiro (Kalani '05) had 21 digs in a five-set loss to Stanford on Saturday. The loss was the first of the season for the Huskies, who dropped to No. 4 in this week's AVCA Division I Coaches poll.
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