Athletic News
Cross Country Records Big Day at Mt. SAC
WALNUT, Calif. – - The St. Francis cross country team competed at the Mt. Sac Invitational on Saturday, participating in three races and the SF girls recorded four Top 10s, won an individual title and tied for a team title.
Sophomore Sydney Vandegrift won the Sophomore Girls Sweeps race in 18:55, clearing the field by more than one and half minutes.
“It felt pretty good,” said Vandegrift. “It was hot conditions and probably one of the harder courses. Ariane (Arndt) told me to stay consistent the first two loops and attack the hills from there.”
Homecoming for Two Montana State Bobcats
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – It was ironic that Homecoming activities have surrounded the St. Francis campus this week as two of the school’s alumnae returned home to play collegiate volleyball Thursday night less than a mile away at the Hornets Nest on the Sacramento State campus.
For Dana Vestman (Elk Grove) and Loni Kreun (Davis) of the Montana State volleyball team and the St. Francis Class of 2013, everything was familiar on Thursday as they drove down Elvas Avenue on the way to the their game, providing directions to their van drivers.
Soccer Team Named 2014-15 NSCAA High School Team Academic Award Recipient
SACRAMENTO, Calif.– The St. Francis Girls’ Team was recognized by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) with the 2014-15 High School Team Academic Award. The team had a 3.61 combined grade point average last spring.
The NSCAA annually recognizes high school soccer programs that have excelled in the classroom, in addition to their performance on the field.
Homecoming Rally on TroubieTV
The Homecoming Rally will be broadcast live on TroubieTV on Friday starting at Noon. Fans must register for NFHS Network and can redeem the free code.
Tennis Ties for Delta League Title with Win over Monterey Trail
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The St. Francis tennis team closed the regular season with a 9-0 win over Monterey Trail and finished tied for Franklin for the Delta League title. It is the 27th league title in school history and first for the program since 2012.
St. Franics lost just five games in sweeping the six singles matches and dropped just six games in three doubles wins.
The Troubadours improved to 11-1 on the season in league play.
Golf Wins Final Center Match, Claims Delta League Title
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Seniors Kate Swanson and Mikia Fang both shot eight-over par rounds of 80 to finish second and help St. Francis to the team win at the third Delta League Center match at Haggin Oaks Arcade course on Monday.
“The team did a great job all year,” said Head Coach Cindy Mah-Lyford. “I had the perfect coaching job this year because I had so many girls that were close in ability. It kept them competitive to gain a position in the starting lineup.”
Cross Country Third at Bronco Invitational
FOLSOM, Calif. – The St. Francis cross country team finished third at the Bronco Invitational Saturday in the first of three races at the Willow Hills Cross Country course.
Sophomore Sydney Vandegrift was fifth overall to lead the Troubadours, running the 5K course in 18:52. Senior Ariane Arndt crossed the line 11th (19:15).
“It was really good we had this race this week,” said Arndt. “You get to know the course and how you feel at certain points to prepare mentally for the next race.”
Soccer’s Aly Barr Commits to William Jessup
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Senior soccer player Aly Barr sees her future and it will be at William Jessup University in Rocklin. She has verbally committed to the school to play soccer next fall, following in the footsteps of one of her older brothers and continuing a family soccer tradition in college.
“I really love the campus,” said Barr. “The school is a lot like St. Francis, small and people want to get to know you. I really like the soccer team and coach.”
Tennis Sweeps Pleasant Grove, Wins Sixth Straight
ELK GROVE, Calif. – St. Francis won its sixth consecutive match to improve to 10-1 in league play and 13-1 overall with a 9-0 sweep of Pleasant Grove on Thursday.
The Troubadours posted six straight-set sweeps in singles with wins by Avery Spector, Kyla Jackson, Kiya Jackson, Marisa Fat, Myra Anwar and Sabrina Voeller.
St. Francis 9, Pleasant Grove 0
Singles
1. Avery Spector, SF, def. Meaghan Sterk, PG, 6-1, 6-1
2. Kyla Jackson, SF, def., Brooke Pland, PG, 6-4, 6-0
Water Polo Defeats Rio Americano
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Jenna Barthels and Julie Zanobini combined for nine goals as St. Francis won 15-4 at Rio Americano on Thursday night.
The Trouabdours took an early 5-1 lead and never trailed again in the game. Rio scored three times in second but St. Francis still led 8-4 at the break. In the third, the Troubies out-scored the Raiders 4-0 and added three more goals in the fourth for the nine-goal win.
Senior Caroline Urkov added two goals and two assists, while Ally Tambornini, Sam Reinl and Frances Barour each added goals in the win.
Tennis Avenges League Loss to Franklin
ELK GROVE, Calif. – The St. Francis doubles teams swept three matches to break open a close contest and give the Troubadours a 6-3 win over Franklin. The win avenged the only loss on the season to Franklin (5-4) on Sept. 21 and moved St. Francis into a tie for first place.
Freshman Myra Anwar and junior Macy Wood were straight set winners at No. 1 doubles, while sophomores Sabrina Voeller and Cameron Parra combined for a 6-3, 6-4 win at No. 2. Junior Megan Kahn and senior Eden Elliott pulled out a three-set win to complete the sweep.
Golf Completes Dual Season Undefeated
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Freshman Patricia Sweeney shot a two-over par 38 with the help of a birdie on the final hole to lead the St. Francis golf team to a 208 team score in a dual match against Monterey Trail.
“It was a combination of all the shots together on the ninth,” said Sweeney. “I was able to make the putt for birdie.”
Sweeney’s round was the low of high school career, earning medalist honors for the match. Sophomore Lauren Allen carded a five-over par 41, while senior Kristi Lee and Olivia Alcoran each recorded rounds of 42.
Cross Country Wins The Other Meet Title Behind Vandegrift
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Sophomore Sydney Vandegrift won the individual title in 17:38 to pace the St. Francis cross country team to the team title at The Other Meet at Granite Regional Park on Saturday.
Vandegrift was among seven Troubadours among the top 25 with the top five all among the first 16 runners to cross the line. Behind Vandegrift, senior Ariane Arndt was fifth in 18:39.
Spectors Leading Tennis Team to Memorable Season
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Senior Avery Spector is leading the St. Francis tennis team to a special season behind her strong play at the top singles position. The Troubadours improved to 11-1 on the season after a 9-0 win over Sheldon Monday.
“It has been really good this year,” said Avery. “The spirit is great and everyone is pushing from No. 1 to 18.”
Swanson Finishes Fifth as Golf Wins Delta Center Match
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Senior Kate Swanson and sophomore Lauren Allen tied for team-best honors with a nine-over par 81 as the St. Francis golf team won the second Delta League Center match at Wildhawk Golf Club on Monday.
St. Francis remained undefeated on the season with the 25-stroke victory over second-place Pleasant Grove (436). Davis was third at 442, while Elk Grove shot a 486 team score.
Swanson and Allen placed fifth overall in the individual standings. Both players made the turn at two-over par before closing with identical back nine scores of 43.
Water Polo Defeats McClatchy
CARMICHAEL, Calif. – Senior Caroline Urkov scored four goals and Jenna Barthels and Maggie Oys each added three as St. Francis posted a 17-1 victory over McClatchy Friday night.
“It felt great to contribute to the team and another victory,” said Urkov. “It is always good practice with the more games we get.”
The Troubadours (11-3) led 11-0 after three quarters and allowed a single goal in the final period while adding five goals.
Swimmer Katie McIntee Commits to San Jose State
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – St. Francis swimmer Katie McIntee has made a verbal commitment to swim next fall at San Jose State and will sign a National Letter-of-Intent with the Spartans on Nov. 11.
“I chose San Jose State because I really liked the coach and the girls,” said McIntee. “After taking my trip, I felt very comfortable. The girls helped me feel right at home and already part of the team.”
Volleyball Transfer Fresques A Welcome Addition
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The St. Francis volleyball team started wearing new Adidas uniforms this week that forced everyone, including Head Coach Alynn Wright, to become familiar with some new numbers. Wright has quickly learned the new No. 8 on the roster, a player who has led the team in kills this week.
That player is senior transfer Ashlynn Fresques, who has recorded a combined 26 kills in leading the Troubadours to a pair of wins this week, including a 25-6, 25-14, 25-12 win over Grant Thursday night.
Cross Country Wins League Meet
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Freshman Sophie DeBenedetti won the Frosh/Soph race at the Delta League race and the varsity was first in the team standings.
“It felt good but definitely tiring,” said DeBenedetti. “I wanted to run fast. There was not a (pace) bike so it was hard to set my own pace because there was no one in front of me. I tried to keep the distance from the girl behind me.”
DeBenedetti helped the team to a second-place finish behind Davis, winning the individual title by more than 50 seconds with her time of 13:36.
Tennis Posts Shutout Over Elk Grove
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The St. Francis tennis team improved to 10-1 with a 9-0 win over Elk Grove on Wednesday. The Troubadours lost just a single game in sweeping six singles matches.
Avery Spector, Kyla Jackson, Kiya Jackson, Marisa Fat, Abby Benvenuti and Sabrina Voeller all posted singles win. Myra Anwar and Macy Wood combined for a straight set win at No. 1 doubles. Carmen Orozionez and Cece Crowley were winners at No. 2 and Julia Kucic and Sarah Morris paired for a win at No. 3.