Athletic News
Volleyball Rolls Past Rodriguez; Hakim Records Most Digs since 2004
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – St. Francis advanced to the Sac-Joaquin Section semifinals with a straight set (25-14, 25-18, 25-18) win over Rodriguez Thursday night.
“I thought we played tremendous,” said Head Coach Alynn Wright. “It was a great team win. I thought everyone played really well.”
Anna Baytosh had 10 kills and setter Ali Koumelis tallied 28 assists. Noa Nightingale had nine kills and Megan Sullivan added seven kills.
“We were firing on all cylinders,” said Wright. “Every single one of them was on. The work in practice is paying off.”
St. Francis Water Polo Advances to Section Final
LODI, Calif. – The St. Francis water polo team overcame a four-goal deficit to post a sudden death victory over Granite Bay in the Sac-Joaquin Section semifinals at Tokay High School Wednesday.
Sophomore Julie Zanobini, who lives in Davis, scored the game winner at the 2:41 mark of the second overtime, advancing St. Francis into the section finals for the 10th consecutive season.
“It was awesome,” said Zanobini. “It is probably the best feeling I have ever had.”
2013 St. Francis National Letter of Intent/Commitment Day
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – St. Francis High School had 18 student-athletes sign National Letters of Intent or commitments to play sports next fall at colleges and universities across the country. They were celebrated with a ceremony at the school today to highlight their outstanding achievement.
Water Polo Advances to Section Final
LODI, Calif. – The St. Francis water polo team overcame a four-goal deficit to post a sudden death victory over Granite Bay in the Sac-Joaquin Section semifinals at Tokay High School Wednesday.
Sophomore Julie Zanobini, who lives in Davis, scored the game winner at the 2:41 mark of the second overtime, advancing St. Francis into the section finals for the 10th consecutive season.
“It was awesome,” said Zanobini. “It is probably the best feeling I have ever had.”
Volleyball Advances in Section Playoffs; Faces Rodriguez at Home Thursday
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The St. Francis volleyball team advanced to the third round of the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs with a 25-14, 25-13, 25-14 win Tuesday night over Merced.
“We felt that we played really well and pretty scrappy,” said senior Ali Koumelis, who will sign with Portland on Wednesday. “We are ready to stay aggressive.”
Tennis Season Ends in Section Quarters; Four Earn All-League
LOOMIS, Calif. – The St. Francis tennis team has its season end in the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs Tuesday with a 9-0 loss at Del Oro.
“We knew going in today it was going to be a tough match,” said Head Coach Kristi Spector. “Del Oro has not lost all season. I wanted my girls go out and play the best they can. I wanted it to be a culmination of all the hard work from day one of tryouts all the way until the end.”
The Troubadours were swept in straight sets in all six singles matches and lost each of the three doubles but fought hard until the end.
Water Polo Advances to Section Semifinals
TOKAY, Calif. – Eileen Walsh scored two goals and St. Francis played a solid game defensively to post a 6-4 victory over St. Mary’s in the second round of the Sac-Joaquin Section Girls Water Polo team championships.
Walsh tied the game in the second quarter at one and gave the Troubies a 3-1 lead early in the fourth that sparked a four-goal period.
Cross Country Advances to Sac-Joaquin Section Meet
ANGELS CAMP, Calif. – The St. Francis cross country team cruised to a fourth-place finish to easily earn a berth in the Sac-Joaquin Section meet next weekend. The top 10 teams advance from the Subsection.
Camille Boudreaux was the top finisher for the Troubadours, clocking a 20:20 time for a 12th-place finish. Peyton Bilo finished 21st in 20:41, while Chase Worthen was 26th in 20:48 led a large group of St. Francis runners. Worthen joined Ariel Medina, Miranda Myers, Madison Rawson and Lauren LaRocco who crossed the line almost simultaneously.
Water Polo Advances with 17-3 Win over Atwater
MODESTO, Calif. – Junior Lauren Charter scored three times to lead St. Francis to a 17-3 win over Atwater in the first round of the Sac-Joaquin Section Girls Water Polo team championships.
Charter led a 17-goal attack that had five players score multiple goals. Senior Brinnley Barthels and sophomore Jennalyn Barthels each found the cage two times. Sophomore Maggie Oys and junior Emily Reinl also scored twice in the contest.
Water Polo’s Sophie Rubino Goes the Distance
St. Francis senior water polo goalie Sophie Rubino takes advantage of every moment of every day. And she needs it.
From the time her alarm clock rings at 5 a.m. until she lays down for the night, the day is full. The drive to be successful in school and in water polo at St. Francis High School starts with more than a ride into school each day. From her home in Penn Valley, Calif., Rubino commutes almost 70 miles each way.
Tennis Individuals Reach Second Round at Section Tournament
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Jane Sadler and Kendall Spector lost in the second round of the Sac-Joaquin Section doubles in a tough, three-set match to eventual champions Madison McKay and Karrigan Cook of Gregori 6-2, 4-6, 6-3.
The senior duo advanced to the second round with a three-set win in the opening round of Kathleen Qin and Kayla Nguyen of Franklin 6-2, 5-7, 6-2.
Volleyball Earns No. 2 Seed in Sac-Joaquin Section Playoffs
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Defending Sac-Joaquin Section champion St. Francis garnered the No. 2 seed in the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Championship volleyball bracket released Wednesday, earning the right to host up to three section playoff games.
“Our goal at the beginning of the season was to be able to play at home through the playoffs,” said Head Coach Alynn Wright. “Having the home fans and being in a familiar place makes it easier. Not that it will be easier. We are excited.”
Former Troubadour Soccer Standout Jennifer Lum Earns All-Big Sky Honors
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Former Troubadour and current Sacramento State soccer player Jennifer Lum was named to the All-Big Sky second team on Tuesday. She is a redshirt freshman for the Hornets after a four-year career at St. Francis.
Tennis advances to SJS quarterfinals with win over Turlock
TURLOCK, Calif. – The St. Francis tennis team won five of six singles matches and swept the doubles to post an 8-1 victory over Turlock Tuesday afternoon in the second round of the CIF Sac-Joaquin Division I Girls Team Tennis Championship.
“We did not know what to expect so we came out with the girls going for it,” said Head Coach Kristi Spector. “We are seeing a lot of girls peeking right now, especially the doubles teams, and the singles are getting stronger. To see it come together is great.”
Turlock entered as the No. 1 seed out of the Central California Conference.
Golf Season Ends at Nor Cals
RIPON, Calif. – The St. Francis golf team shot a 455 team score and missed advancing to the state championships Monday at the NCGA/CIF Girls Nor Cal Championship held at Spring Creek CC.
“I am really proud of the team for reaching Nor Cals,” said Head Coach Cindy Mah-Lyford. “It is not the ultimate goal but it is still a very elite competition.”
St. Francis finished eighth overall but were just 11 shots off the top-three finish needed to advance to the state championships for the second straight year.
Volleyball Loses in Semifinals of Super 8
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The St. Francis volleyball team lost in the semifinals of the Super 8 Invitational Saturday. The Troubadours went 2-1 in pool play and lost in the semifinals to eventual champion Granite Bay.
“I learned that we have some work to do and that is OK,” said Head Coach Alynn Wright. “I was pleased with how we responded. We stepped on the court in the first set and it was all us. They settled down and did extremely well. I was pleased with the day.”
LaRocco Leads Cross Country to Third Straight DRL Title
FOLSOM, Calif. – Senior Lauren LaRocco won her third consecutive Delta River League title to lead the St. Francis team to the team title. The Troubadours placed four runners among the top 10 and six among the top 13 in the race, winning the league title for the third straight season.
“It felt good today and it was really fun,” said LaRocco. “Our top five were taking it a little easy and it was fun to run as a pack. We gave a little extra at the end.”
LaRocco led the field with a time of 18:41 to win her seventh race of the season.
Water Polo Closes Nor Cals with Win
PALO ALTO, Calif. – Junior Emily Reinl scored a season-high five goals to lead St. Francis to a 12-4 victory over Lodi in their final game of the Nor Cal Championships. The win ended the tournament on a strong note after three straight losses, including two one goal decisions to Leland and Menlo Atherton.
Senior Brinnly Barthels added two goals in the win over Lodi, scoring in three of the four tournament games.
WATER POLO
Nor Cal Championships
Palo Alto, Calif.
St. FRANCIS (MV) 11, ST. FRANCIS (SAC) 1
Tennis Posts Strong Performances at League Singles and Doubles
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Jane Sadler and Kendall Spector reached the final of the Delta River League Super Doubles Thursday before dropping a three-set decision to Rachel Leibrach and Teia Chalamcharla of Oak Ridge 2-6, 7-6, 6-4.
“They started off on fire to win the first set 6-2 and lost in a tiebreaker in the second set,” said Head Coach Kristi Spector. “They never gave up their composure or their hope. They played the best tennis they have played all season. They played unbelievable.”
Barthels Scores Game Winner to Cap Senior Night
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Senior Brinnley Barthels scored with 1:55 left to help St. Francis post a 3-2 victory over Bella Vista. The win closed out a successful night that began by honoring the nine Troubadour seniors.
“It was not pretty tonight but it was a natural letdown after such a big game on Monday,” said Head Coach Heather Moody. “All the seniors hit the water and got a little bit of playing time. It was a slow process getting into the game and we had a hard time getting the ball in the cage.”