Athletic News

LODI, Calif. – The St. Francis water polo team advanced to the Sac-Joaquin Section semifinals with a 9-5 win over Granite Bay Tuesday at Tokay High School.

“It was a good team attack,” said Head Coach Heather Moody. “We started out slow again so that is concerning so we will work on that for Thursday’s game. Once we got going and communicating, the defense definitely picked up.”

Lodi jumped out to a 1-0 lead to start the game. But the Troubadours settled and led 3-1 after the first period. They extended the lead to 7-2 at the half and the Flames never got any closer.

STOCKTON, Calif. – The St. Francis tennis team lost a tough 5-4 match to St. Mary’s in the quarterfinals of the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Championships. St. Mary’s advanced to face Del Oro in the semifinals.

“I gathered the girls after the match and looking at all of their faces, I told them I was so proud of how hard they worked all season long,” said Head Coach Kristi Spector. “For such a young team, they came together and improved drastically all season.”

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – St. Francis senior Miranda Reyes has faced obstacles all her life. But she has never let them slow her down.  She found her calling on a boat and after four years as a coxswain for the Upper Natoma Rowing Club, she will be competing for the Portland Pilots crew team next year in college.

Reyes, who is a little person, played sports growing up including both volleyball and golf. But she faced limitations continuing sports in high school. During her freshmen year, some family friends introduced her to crew and she gave it a try.

MODESTO, Calif. – The St. Francis water polo team rolled past Enochs 22-2 in the first round of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I playoffs at Johansen High School Saturday afternoon.

“We are really excited,” said senior Annie Rafeld, who scored two goals and added an assist. “We are taking it one game at a time. I really want us to get to the final game and win everything.”

St. Francis jumped out to a 4-0 lead after the first quarter but Head Coach Heather Moody was not happy with how the team was playing.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The St. Francis volleyball team is seeded fourth in the Sac-Joaquin Section playoff bracket announced Wednesday afternoon.

St. Francis (28-11) will host 13th-seeded Woodcreek on Tuesday, Nov. 11 at 7 p.m. with the winner advancing to play the winner of No. 5 Granite Bay and No. 12 Franklin-EG. The Troubadours would host the quarterfinal game on Thursday, Nov. 13.

The semifinals will be played on Tuesday, Nov. 18 at school sites with the section final at U.C. Davis at 8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 21.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – For one night, they were the queens of the court. The St. Francis volleyball team celebrated their nine seniors in a pre-game ceremony before posting a 25-5, 25-0, 25-9 victory over Grant to close out the 2014 regular season.

“It was a fun night,” said Head Coach Alynn Wright. “The seniors had fun and they played pretty well.”

The Troubadours opened the match with a 25-5 win in the first set before posting a 25-0 win in the second. Marissa Gollnick served out the complete game. The Troubadours closed out the match with a 25-9 win in the third.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Sophomore Annie Gianulias likes to unleash her hard serve on game and match points and she has had plenty of practice during an undefeated sophomore season for the Troubadour tennis program.

“If it is match or game point, I like to hit my serve really hard to try for an ace or get a really good shot,” said Gianulias.

Gianulias posted a 6-0, 6-2 win over Daniela Pantoja of Franklin of Stockton at No. 5 singles to improve to 14-0 on the season Monday.