Athletic News
Golf Defeats Sheldon by Forfeit
ELK GROVE, Calif. – St. Francis continued its strong play in preparation for next week’s dual match against Franklin at The Reserve in Stockton. Senior Kristi Lee led the team for the second consecutive match, shooting a three-over par 39. Freshman Olivia Alcoran was second on the team with a 40 and sophomore Chase Saca carded a 43.
Senior Kate Swanson recorded a 45, while freshman Patricia Sweeney and sophomore Lauren Liberatore posted rounds of 46.
Volleyball’s JJ Smith Getting Better Each Match
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The St. Francis volleyball team recorded a straight-set victory over Sheldon Tuesday night as freshman JJ Smith had a second consecutive impressive hitting night for the Troubadours.
“It was fun to see the kids do somethings they do not normally get to do in games,” said Head Coach Alynn Wright. “They got to share a lot of court time and that helps build team comradery. It was fun.”
One of the players having fun was Smith, who recorded seven kills while hitting over .200 for the second consecutive game.
Tennis Match Postponed Against Pleasant Grove
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The tennis match at Pleasant Grove has been postponed today due to the rain in the area and will be re-scheduled at a later date.
Golf Team Wins Again over Grant
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Senior Kristi Lee carded a three-over par 39 to lead the St. Francis golf team to a 209 team score in a dual match with Grant Monday at Haggin Oaks Arcade Course.
“Overall it is going pretty well,” said Lee. “I have been working on the small things.”
Lee recorded six pars and three bogies for a round that was just a shot off her career best.
“Even when I missed shots, I was able to get up and down for par,” said Lee. “Overall, it was a really good round and very consistent. I was very happy about that.”
Arndt Leads Cross Country at Stanford Invite
PALO ALTO, Calif. – Senior Ariane Arndt was the top finisher at the Stanford Invitational for St. Francis, helping the team to a 15th-place finish overall.
Arndt clocked 18:33.5 over the Stanford Golf Course layout. Sophomore Sydney Vandegrift was close behind in 39th overall (18:46.2) with Chase Worthen crossing 46th overall (18:53.6). Senior Gabby Dyer recorded a time of 20:17 (133rd) and sophomore Ava Nkadi was 149th (20:39). Senior Jessica Danens and junior Allie Lourim finished 151st and 181st, respectively.
Water Polo Splits Two Matches at Woodcreek
ROSEVILLE, Calif. – Ally Tambornini scored three times as St. Francis defeated Sonora 9-3 to finish pool play 1-1 on the first day of the Woodcreek Tournament. The Troubies lost to Monte Vista 7-3 earlier in the day.
Senior Maggie Oys added two goals and four players had single goals in the contest including Kira Chavez, Caroline Urkov, Sam Reinl and Sally Ferguson.
In the opener against Monte Vista, Reinl scored two times and Julie Zanobini also found the cage.
Tennis Completes First Half of League Slate with 9-0 Win
ELK GROVE, Calif. – The St. Francis tennis team completed the first half of the Delta League schedule with a 9-0 win over Monterey Trail, improving to 5-1 in league play and 8-1 on the season.
The Troubadours got singles wins from Sabrina Voeller and Cameron Parra at No. 5 and 6 singles, respectively. Senior Avery Spector and sophomores Kiya Jackson, Kyla Jackson and Marisa Fat were also winners in straight sets.
Volleyball Wins One for Natalie
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The St. Francis volleyball team was facing Davis Tuesday night in a volleyball match. But the hidden opponent was blood borne cancer.
Hosting a Blood Cancer Awareness Night in support of Troubadour junior Natalie Woodruff, who is fighting Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, the Troubies played one of the best matches of the season with a 25-17, 25-17, 25-16 Delta League win.
“The kids adore Natalie and they miss her,” said Head Coach Alynn Wright. “They really wanted to play well for her tonight. I think they did.”
Golf Defeats Elk Grove
ELK GROVE, Calif. – Three players posted rounds of five-over par 41 as St. Francis posted a 208-252 win over Elk Grove on Monday at Wildhawk Golf Course.
Seniors Makia Fang and Kristi Lee and freshman Olivia Alcoran each carded rounds of 41 to pace the Troubadours. Sophomore Lauren Liberatore recorded a 43 and sophomore Chase Saca had a 46.
St. Francis remained undefeated on the season and plays Grant on Monday, Sept. 28.
Tennis Falls to Franklin 5-4
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Franklin closed out a four-an-half hour match over St. Francis with straight set win at No. 3 doubles to take the first match between two of the top teams in the Delta League.
“Our team fought really hard today,” said Head Coach Kristi Spector. “We played through the heat. It was a great match and good information for when we play them again.”
Water Polo Shuts Out Franklin
ELK GROVE, Calif. – Three players scored three goals each and seven with multiple goals as St. Francis blanked Franklin 24-0. Overall, 14 players scored for St. Francis.
Ali Tambornini had a team-best seven assists to contribute to the offensive explosion.
St. Francis (6-1) is off before traveling to St. Mary’s on Sept. 24.
JV Volleyball Reaches Chris Craft Semifinals
EL DORADO HILLS, Calif. – The St. Francis junior varsity volleyball team reached the semifinals of the Chris Craft before falling to host Oak Ridge in straight sets.
St. Francis, the defending champion in the event, went 3-0 in pool play with wins over Folsom, Lodi and Bella Vista. The Troubies were tested against Bella Vista after losing the first set before winning the final two sets. They advanced to the semifinals with a win over Vacaville before falling to Oak Ridge.
Cross Country Sixth at Nike Invitational
CONCORD, Calif. – Senior Chase Worthen crossed the line in 41st (19:41) as the St. Francis varsity cross country team was sixth overall at the De La Salle/Carondelet Nike Invitational. Sophomore Sydney Vandegrift was the top finisher for the Troubadours in 18:23 (11th) with senior Ariane Arndt close behind in 18:33 (14th).
Davis was the team champion led by individual winner Fionna O’Keeffe.
Sophomore Ava Nakdi was the fourth finisher for St. Francis (20:01). Other finishers included Gabby Dyer (20:59), Allie Lourim (21:14) and Juliet Batturaro (21:26).
Volleyball Program to Host Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Awareness Night
Troubadour Players and Coaches will conduct pre-game prayer for Natalie Woodruff
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The St. Francis volleyball program will have a Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Awareness Night on Tuesday, Sept. 22 in support of Troubadour Natalie Woodruff and her fight against the disease. She was diagnosed in May and began receiving treatment in July. The event will take place prior to the varsity game against Davis High School.
Pleasant Grove Downs Volleyball 3-1
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The St. Francis volleyball team lost to Pleasant Grove 3-1 on Thursday in the Delta League opener for both schools.
“They have a lot of fight,” said Head Coach Alynn Wright. “We are young but they are starting to play older than their years, so that is exciting.”
St. Francis (6-8, 0-1) dropped the first set 25-11 but looked poised to take the second set leading 23-21. But the Eagles rallied to take the final four points and the 2-0 advantage in the match.
Tennis Pulls Out Tough Match Against Davis
ELK GROVE, Calif. – Four matches were decided by tiebreakers as the St. Francis tennis team pulled out a 7-2 victory over Davis Thursday in a key Delta League match at Rio del Oro Racquet Club.
“I am really proud of the girls,” said Head Coach Kristi Spector.
St. Francis (7-0, 5-0) remained undefeated on the season to setup an important home match Monday against Franklin at Rio. The St. Francis Booster Club will host its annual Tennis Booster Que with free hamburgers and hot dogs for all players, coaches and fans from both schools.
Tennis Sweeps Sheldon 9-0
ELK GROVE, Calif. – The St. Francis tennis team posted a 9-0 victory over Sheldon Wednesday afternoon to remain undefeated at 6-0 and 4-0 in Delta League play.
Sophomore Marisa Fat won 6-0, 6-0 in straight sets at No. 2 singles and Annie Gianulias posted a 6-2, 6-2 win at No. 3 singles. Senior Avery Spector won at No. 1, while junior Abby Benvenuti won at No. 4. Other singles winners included freshman Myra Anwar at No. 5 and junior Megan Kahn at No. 6.
Golf Defeats Davis in League Dual Match
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Seniors Mikia Fang and Kristi Lee tied for medalist honors with two-over par rounds of 38 to lead St. Francis to a victory over Davis in a Delta League dual match Wednesday at Haggin Oaks Arcade course.
“We have a strong team this year,” said Fang, who was paired with Lee for their round today. “I played with Kristi in our last qualifying round. We both had scores and we pushed each other to do well again today.
Fang and Lee both carded season-best rounds to tie for low round of the match with Marie Dean of Davis.
Alumna Bisharat Earns Player of the Week Honor
COOLIDGE, Ariz. – Congrats to Larson Bisharat, a middle blocker from Central Arizona, who was named the ACCAC D1 Player of the Week. CAC went 4-1 led by Bisharat who totaled 48 kills and 8 blocks in the five contests and she was named to the Roughrider Invitational All-Tournament team.