Athletic News
Late Three-Pointers Seal Victory over Bella Vista
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – With Bella Vista within five points late in the game, junior Susie Rogers and senior Gillian Balbierz hit back-to-back three-pointers to help seal the victory 55-49 for the Troubadours. St. Francis won for the second consecutive game, improving to 8-5 on the season.
“They were definitely big shots,” said Head Coach Vic Pitton. “It was nice to see them come through in the clutch.”
Basketball Wins Home Opener over Chavez
Freshmen, JV Squads also Post Big Victories
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The St. Francis basketball team won its home opener with a 65-25 victory over Chavez of Stockton Tuesday night. Sophomore Lauren Craig led the team with 13 points and 12 rebounds, recording her fifth double-double of the season. Senior Gillian Balbierz and sophomore Susie Rogers each tallied nine points in the winning effort. All twelve Troubadours scored in the contest.
Deol Leads Freshmen to Victory over Del Oro
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Reina Deol scored a game-high 15 points to help the St. Francis freshmen team post a 25-23 victory over Del Oro to avenge their only loss of the season and improve to 12-1. The Troubadours advanced to the finals of the Del Campo Freshman Showcase looking for their fourth tournament title of the season.
Sophomore Craig Making Varsity Impact for Troubadours
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Sophomore Lauren Craig made her varsity
debut last season as a freshmen and was expected to help Vic
Pitton’s Trouabdours in 2013-14. But after averaging 11.1 points
and 11.3 rebounds in her first 11 games this season, she is
become a major factor now.
“
After the first couple games she really gained her confidence in her offense,” said Head Coach Vic Pitton. “She is contributing a double-double almost every game. It is been a welcome surprise that she has developed this quickly. We are very pleased.”
Freshmen Basketball Opens Showcase with Win
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The St. Francis freshmen basketball team posted a 39-26 win over Vista Del Lago to open the Del Campo Freshman Showcase with a win and improve to 11-1 on the season. Ally Jeffers and Savannah Tijerino-Santos each scored eight points. Reina Deol added seven points in the victory.
St. Francis scored just four points in the opening quarter, trailing 10-45. They cut the lead to 17-14 at the half before taking control of the game in the third quarter, out-scoring Vista Del Lago 13-3. Overall, they held their opponent to just nine points in the second half.
Heart and Sole: Former Troubadour Sole Montemayor Gives Back
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Sole (pronounced so-lee) Montemayor loves to be on the basketball court. After starring for St. Francis and playing basketball in college, she is back helping the current Troubadours as an assistant coach.
“Being an alumna and giving back, I enjoy being part of the team and it is a family being part of St. Francis,” said Montemayor, who is in her third season on the bench. “It is what they taught us for four years.”
Four Volleyball Players Named to Sac Bee All-Metro Team
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Four St. Francis volleyball players were named to The Sacramento Bee All-Metro team announced Thursday, including first-team selections Anna Baytosh and Ali Koumelis.
Baytosh, a Chico State signee, led the team with 357 kills and 3.2 kills per set, while recording 259 digs, the second-best total on the team. Koumelis recorded 969 assists on the season with a 9.5 assist per set average. She has signed with the University of Portland.
Basketball Dropped by Warren in Nike Tournament
CHANDLER, Ariz. – St. Francis was out-scored 25-5 in the fourth quarter as Warren broke open a close game to defeat the Troubadours 66-40 Saturday afternoon in the Nike Tournament of Champions.
“We have to continue to work on our passing and our control of the ball under pressure,” said Head Coach Vic Pitton.
Kyle Huffman scored a game-high 14 points for the Troubadours.
“Kyra really embraced her role and was the most effective player we had on the court,” said Head Coach Vic Pitton. “Kudos to her for really stepping up, we needed her and she pulled through.”
Basketball Posts Win over Animo South at Nike Event
CHANDLER, Ariz. – Senior guard Kristen Lau made six straight free throws in the final 1:52 to help seal the victory over Animo South of Los Angeles 46-38 Friday afternoon in the second round of the Nike Tournament of Champions.
“I was so nervous to be honest, said Lau. “After I made the first two, I just forgot about it. I just tried to relax and pretend it was like practice.”
Fourth Quarter Dooms Basketball in Nike TOC Opener
CHANDLER, Ariz. – The St. Francis basketball team lost their
opening game at the Nike Tournament of Champions to Chandler
57-45 Thursday morning.
The Troubadours led 38-32 in the final seconds of the third
quarter after posting a 10-1 run capped by a left-side
three-pointer by senior Abby Dow, who finished with five points.
“We got after it and forced turnovers and were able to get into transition,” said Head Coach Vic Pitton of the third quarter. “We pushed the ball down the court to get some easy baskets. We had momentum going our way.”
Basketball Travels to Arizona for Nike Tournament of Champions
PHOENIX, Ariz. – The St. Francis basketball team will open the Nike Tournament of Champions in Phoenix against Chandler High School at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 19 at Perry High School.
“We are certainly expecting them to be a very athletic school,” said Head Coach Vic Pitton. “They are a very large school. We have played them before in the Nike event and took them to overtime in their gym. We will see what happens this year.”
Water Polo Trio Earns Academic All-America Honors
HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. – Three St. Francis water polo players garnered Academic All-America honors from USA Water Polo with outstanding achievement designation for qualifying with a 4.0 GPA or better.
The three Troubies include senior Eileen Walsh and juniors Emily Reinl and Lauren Charter.
Basketball Wins Lodi Christmas Tournament
LODI, Calif. – Susie Rogers scored a game-high 17 points to lead St. Francis to a 47-42 victory in the championship game of the Lodi Christmas Tournament Saturday afternoon.
“It feels good,” said Rogers. “I think we have really improved over time. We won as a team. We are playing as a team and we are running our offense and defense better each game.”
Basketball Teams Play for Three Titles Saturday
LODI, Calif. – Three players scored in double figures as the St. Francis basketball team rolled to a 68-29 victory over host Lodi Friday afternoon to advance to the championship of the Lodi Christmas Tournament.
Sophomore Lauren Craig scored a team-best 15 points to lead the Troubadours in scoring. Angie Ortiz added 13 and Susie Rogers scored nine in the win.
St. Francis (4-3) jumped out to an 18-8 lead and led by 24 at the break. Craig scored 11 of her 15 points in the first half while Rogers notched 11 to help build the big lead.
Barthels Named Player of the Year at Banquet
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Senior Brinnley Barthels was named the Player of the Year at the St. Francis Water Polo annual banquet.
Barthels was among five players honored on Dec. 12. Sophomore Maggie Oys was selected as the Offensive Player of the Year, while senior Eileen Walsh was the Defensive Player of the Year. Senior Cherie Murbach was the Most Improved Player. Senior Jenna Bellinger earned the Most Inspirational Award.
Three Troubies Earn DRL Player of the Year Honors
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Three St. Francis seniors were named the Delta River League Player of the Year for their respective sports following the fall season.
Ali Koumelis earned the honor for volleyball after leading her team to the Delta River League title, the Northern California finals in the CIF State Tournament and runner-up at the Sac-Joaquin Section Tournament. Koumelis, who signed to play at Portland, joined teammates Anna Baytosh, Lea Felton, Chloe Hakim and Megan Sullivan on the Delta River All-League team.
Craig Leads Basketball to Upset over Rocklin in Lodi Tournament
LODI, Calif. – Sophomore Lauren Craig scored a career-high 23 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead St. Francis to a 58-54 victory over Rocklin in the Lodi Christmas Tournament Thursday afternoon. Rocklin entered the game ranked No. 5 in the Sacramento Bee Top 20.
“Lauren is just getting stronger offensively and playing very aggressively to get her shot,” said Head Coach Vic Pitton. “She is battling on the boards against more experienced players. She has really given a great effort and climbing far faster than anyone would expect.”
Basketball’s Strong Effort Falls Short against Del Oro
LOOMIS, Calif. – St. Francis erased a double-digit first-quarter deficit to take Del Oro down to the final seconds before the Eagles prevailed 46-45 in a hard-fought non-league game Monday night.
“Our defensive intensity was very strong,” said Head Coach Vic Pitton. “We gave ourselves an opportunity and got back in the game after digging a deep hole. It is the resiliency and chemistry of this team that allows them to play as a unit. They are getting better and better.”
Varsity Falls to Petaluma in Pleasant Valley; Freshman Win Kennedy Tournament
CHICO, Calif. – The St. Francis varsity team fell by two points
to Petaluma in the third-place game of the Pleasant Valley Viking
Tournament on Saturday 38-36.
The game was tied at the half after a strong second quarter by
the Troubadours, resulting in 15 points. St. Francis led by one
heading into the final quarter but Petaluma pulled it out by a
basket.
Three Players Score in Doubles Figures in Win over Woodcreek
CHICO, Calif. – Three players scored in double figures to lead the St. Francis basketball team to a 53-37 victory over Woodcreek in the Pleasant Valley Viking Tournament Friday night.
Junior Susie Rogers scored a game-high 14 points to lead the team, scoring in double figures for the third time this season. Sophomore Lauren Craig had a season-high 10 points, while senior Amanda Davenport also recorded 10 points.