NW Briefs | Tickets for Seattle's MLS team top 8,000

Northwest |

Two of the state's top public officials, Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels and Governor Christine Gregoire, are lending their individual support to Major League Soccer in Seattle.

The governor, who called herself a "soccer mom," and fan at the news conference announcing the team two weeks ago, and the mayor each have purchased MLS Seattle season-ticket memberships, according to the Seahawks, who are assisting in MLS team operations.

Sales of MLS Seattle season-ticket memberships aren't slowing down much, with the number topping 8,000 sold in the two weeks since the announcement after an initial spike of more than 3,000 a day after the city was officially awarded a team.

Morrison leads four

Huskies on Pac-10

volleyball first team

The sixth-ranked Washington volleyball team had four players selected to the All-Pac-10 first team.

Senior All-American outside hitter Christal Morrison headlines the group of four players, earning her fourth consecutive first-team selection.

Morrison, who was the Pac-10 Player of the Year last season, becomes the first Husky to be named to the first team all four years during her career.

Joining Morrison on the first team were outside hitter Stevie Mussie, middle blocker Jessica Swarbrick and libero Tamari Miyashiro.

Notes

• Washington State quarterback Alex Brink has been named Pac-10 offensive player of the week after throwing for five touchdowns in the 42-35 victory over Washington. Brink completed 27 of 40 passes for an Apple Cup-record 399 yards with no interceptions. His touchdown passes covered 41,19, 28,40 and 35 yards and the 35-yarder was the winner to Brandon Gibson with 31 seconds to play. Brink finishes his career in third place on the Pac-10 career passing list with 10,913 yards.

• Western Washington libero Courtney Schneider was named to the first-team and outside hitter Jaime Anderson and middle blocker Tiana Roma received honorable mention on the NCAA Division II All-American volleyball team.

A senior from Snohomish, Schneider was a third-team All-American last year. She led the nation in digs per game (7.58) for the second consecutive season.

• Western Washington has signed 6-foot-3 guard Morris Anderson, who is currently attending Highline Community College, to a men's basketball national letter of intent.

• Gonzaga women's basketball player Heather Bowman has been named West Coast Conference co-player of the week.

Staff reporter José Miguel Romero, sports information departments and other sources contributed to this report.