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.”

Montemayor first played for Coach Pitton on the St. Francis freshmen team. She moved up to the varsity for her sophomore season before breaking her ankle in a summer league game. She was a two-year starter for Pitton on the varsity unit, helping the team compete for Metro League titles each season.

“She never showed any fear on the court,” said Pitton. “No matter whom we played or who she was guarding her, she was up for the challenge. She never backed down.”

Pitton recalls a memorable game against Berkeley High School, who had not lost a game in three years, to illustrate his point. With the game tied in the final seconds, the decision was easy what to do.

“I called a timeout and got the ball in Sole’s hands,” recalled Pitton. “She drew a foul and made the free throws to beat them.”

Montemayor played two seasons at Sacramento City College. After taking a year off, she finished her playing career at Alderson Broaddus University in Philippi, West Virginia.

She returned to Sacramento with her degree in nursing. But the pull of the court was still too strong.

“She is able to bring the continuity of the St. Francis program to the forefront with these young ladies,” said Pitton. “She helps them understand what it takes to be a competitive basketball player within the parameters and goals of what we are as a St. Francis student.”

Montemayor wants to give back to the program and the school that helped shape her during her time as a Troubadour.

“I don’t remember having a mentor at St. Francis but I looked up to the girls,” said Montemayor. “I thought, “Wow I can be that person.” Now I am on the other side and I can be their mentor, someone that I did not have.”

She also relate to the players on several levels.

“Being a female coach and a former player at St. Francis, I have more of an edge than the other coaches, especially the male coaches. I can relate to the girls and they can come talk to me when they want to. They are more comfortable talking to me about certain things.”

Pitton sees the impact his former player is having.

“Sole is very short in stature but big in heart,” said Pitton. “It is the heart that allows us to compete. When she is able to show our young ladies of St. Francis that heart, it really helps them grow.”

Senior Abby Dow, who is playing her second season under Montemayor, agrees.

“She is a really important coach for us,” said senior Abby Dow. “It is nice to have a female coach who went to St. Francis and played basketball. She is not only coach but a mentor for all of us. We like having her around.”

And for Montemayor, it is just where she wants to be.