Athletic News
Volleyball Gains Experience in Win over Sheldon
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Sophomore setter Kelsey Grover made her first varsity start and led the St. Francis volleyball team to a straight set 3-0 win over Sheldon Tuesday night.
“It felt really good,” said Grover, who filled in for senior Marissa Gollnick. “I was so excited to start and be part of the whole team. We did good and played more as a team but I think we could have done more talking and had more energy.”
St. Francis jumped out to a 12-0 lead in the first set behind the serving of Grover and never looked back, taking the first set 25-5.
Volleyball Photos vs. Sheldon (Sept. 30)
Sophomore setter Kelsey Grover made her first varsity start and led the St. Francis volleyball team to a straight set 3-0 win over Sheldon on Sept. 30.
Softball’s Baccay Listed Among Nation’s Top Juniors; Committed to Michigan State
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – St. Francis Junior Mel Baccay was named the 35th-best prospect in the class of 2016 by the sport website Full Count Softball.
“I was really honored to find out I was ranked 35th,” said Baccay. “I was not expecting to be ranked that high. It is really humbling.”
Baccay hit .312 as a sophomore with 16 runs scored and seven RBI for the Troubadours.
Alumna Koumelis Enjoying First Year at Portland
PORTLAND, Ore. – Ali Koumelis did not have any chance to settle into collegiate life at Portland, earning a spot in the Pilots rotation right away in her freshman season in their 6-2 system.
“I have not run a 6-2 in a while but it works for our team,” said Koumelis, a 2014 graduate of St. Francis. “I get to work on fewer things like I don’t have to work on blocking. So I can focus more on defense so I get more practice time doing that.”
Water Polo Finishes Play at California Capital Challenge
ROSEVILLE, Calif. – Lauren Charter scored five goals in a win over Bella Vista Saturday morning but the Troubadours fell in the ninth-place game to Oakdale Saturday afternoon.
Charter led the Troubadours to their second win over Bella Vista this week Saturday morning, finding the back of the cage five times. Junior Kira Chavez added two goals, while junior Jennalyn Barthels, senior Hannah Milanowski and junior Sam Reinl also scored.
Oakdale defeated St. Francis 6-2 despite goals by Charter and junior Maggie Oys.
Volleyball Goes 2-2 at Mitty Tournament
SAN JOSE, Calif. - St. Francis volleyball went 2-2 in the Mitty Showcase Saturday, defeating Menlo (2-0) Granite Bay (2-1) and losing to Monte Vista (0-2) and No. 7 Archbishop Mitty (0-2).St. Francis volleyball went 2-2 in the Mitty Showcase Saturday, defeating Menlo (2-0) Granite Bay (2-1) and losing to Monte Vista (0-2) and No. 7 Archbishop Mitty (0-2).
TroubieTV: Water Polo Highlights vs. Bella Vista (Sept. 24)
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Watch highlights from the St. Francis-Bella Vista match on Sept. 24 produced by TroubieTV.
Barthels Scores Seven Goals in Tournament Split
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The St. Francis water polo team split two matches Friday in the California Capital Challenge.
The Troubadours lost their opening match in the afternoon 12-5 to Las Lomas. Maggie Oys scored three times and Jennalyn Barthels added two scores in the loss.
The Troubadours rebounded in the evening match with a win over Amador Valley. Barthels scored five times in the blowout 14-2 win. Oys and Alyssa Tambornini each scored twice while the Troubadours got single goals from Lauren Charter, Frances Barbour, Annie Rafeld and Caroline Urkov.
Cross Country Trip Canceled Due to Chicago Airport Event
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The St. Francis cross country team’s flight to Chicago was canceled Friday morning forcing the team to call off its weekend trip. The Troubadours were traveling to Chicago, Ill., to compete in the Palatine Invitational this weekend.
The trip included 17 student-athletes and three coaches.
St. Francis will return to running on Oct. 8 at the Delta League meet at Granite Regional Park.
Volleyball Wins Second Straight League Match
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The St. Francis volleyball team had fun Thursday and it showed in their play in a straight-set win over Elk Grove 25-16, 25-21, 25-15.
“We played so well and it was so fun,” said senior Mary-Kate Schildmeyer. “It was one of the best games we have had all season. We all made the decision to have fun and go after it, relentless, and not to let any balls drop.”
St. Francis (11-5) posted one of their best efforts of the season, winning their second straight Delta League matchup to improve to 2-1 on the season.
Cross Country Travels to Chicago for Palatine Invitational
Trip Part of Tradition with Sister School Assumption
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The St. Francis cross country team will travel to Chicago, Ill., to compete in the Palatine Invitational this weekend. The meet serves a gathering between St. Francis and sister-school Assumption High School from Louisville, Ky.
“It will be a great experience for the girls,” said Head Coach John DuCray. “We are going with no expectations and plan to make it a fun trip. It will be something they will never forget.”
Water Polo Posts 17-9 Victory over Bella Vista
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Senior Lauren Charter scored five times and juniors Jenna Barthels and Maggie Oys each added three goals as St. Francis beat Bella Vista 17-9 Wednesday night.
“I think we came out tonight and we really wanted to win,” said Barthels. “We came out as a team and we tried our hardest and that put us in lead in the beginning.”
Tennis Posts 9-0 Win over Monterey Trail
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Sophomores Megan Khan and Jordaine Tran both posted straight set singles wins to help the St. Francis tennis team to 9-0 victory over Monterey Trail on Wednesday. It was the sixth straight win for the Troubadours.
“Today’s match went really well,” said Khan. “We played really well and did pretty great. I don’t think we lost a set so that was pretty impressive.”
Khan, who played at No. 5 singles, recorded a straight set 6-1, 6-0 win over Lily Wang.
Golf Video Highlights vs. Elk Grove
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The St. Francis golf team played Elk Grove on Sept. 22 at Haggin Oaks Arcade Creek course.
Volleyball Defeats Davis at Home 3-1
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The St. Francis volleyball team defeated Davis 3-1 Tuesday night to improve to 1-1 in Delta League play and 10-5 overall.
“At times we played as a team and at times we played as individuals,” said Head Coach Alynn Wright. “When we played as a team, it looked really good.”
The Troubadours won the first set 25-21 but Davis responded by taking the second 25-20 tying the match at one game each.
“We were focusing on our own play,” said senior Ashley Sutter of the team’s mindset after two sets. “We wanted to do our best.”
Seven Water Polo Standouts Earn Academic All-America Honors
HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. – Seven St. Francis water polo players earned Academic All-America honors from USA Water Polo, the organization announced. Student-athletes needed a 3.6 GPA on a scale of 4.0 to qualify, while those that received a 4.0 GPA were honored as outstanding achievers.
Senior Lauren Charter garnered Academic All-America honors with outstanding achievement designation for qualifying with a 4.0 GPA or better for the second consecutive season. Juniors Maggie Oys and Caroline Urkov joined Charter with the elite distinction.
Tennis Wins Close Match at Franklin
ELK GROVE, Calif. – Freshman Kyla Jackson pulled out a three-set victory at No. 3 singles to clinch the 5-4 victory over Franklin Monday afternoon for the St. Francis tennis team.
“We knew it was going to be a super tough match,” said Head Coach Kristi Spector. “For us to pull out the match was huge. They are a really strong team. It was good.”
Franklin defeated Davis earlier this season 8-1, a team St. Francis lost to 6-3.
Golf Wins Big over Elk Grove in Delta League Match
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The St. Francis golf team posted an impressive 209 to record a 67 stroke victory over Elk Grove Monday at the Haggin Oaks Arcade Creek course.
“Kate had a fantastic round,” said Head Coach Cindy Mah-Lyford. “She was playing at the No. 4 spot but did not let that bother her. Maybe it added a little fire under her. Overall, we were real consistent from top to bottom. We have so many girls that can shoot in the low 40s and that is going to be the key to our success.”
Alumna Zoe Nightingale a Candidate for CIF All-Century Team
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – What do Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady and Zoe Nightingale have in common? All three are up for #CIF100 Team of the Century.
Zoe Nightingale ‘11, the Sacramento Bee Player of the Year in 2010, is a candidate for the CIF Team of the Century including Olympians Misty May, Holy McPeak, April Ross, Cynthia Barboza, Alix Klienman, Elaine Youngs, Jenny Evans, Kim Oden and Jeannie Reeves. Also among the nominees are Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and USA distance standout Jordan Hasay.
St. Francis Athletics Alumnae News – Sept. 22
St. Francis alumnae are succeeding at the collegiate level across the country. Here is collection of news and notes from the last week about the former Troubies. Submissions can be sent in to Assistant AD Steve Shaff at sshaff@stfrancishs.org.