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2017 MaxPreps Sophomore All-American Volleyball team

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Sophomore Alexa Edwards was named to the 2017 MaxPreps Sophomore All-American Volleyball team, the website announced. Edwards was one of 23 players named to the squad and one of three Californians on the national roster.

Mission Statement: The purpose of the SAAC is to represent the voice of student-athletes at St. Francis Catholic High School.

Taylore Givens in her first season with the varsity team. She has two goals on the season including one at Davis last week. She started playing soccer in the fifth grade and has a little brother, Jared. She is also a member of Mathletes and plans to run for a student body office next year. She does not like fruity candy and her favorite is Andes mints (the ones you find on your pillows at hotels).

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Junior Jorie Keitges scored a career-high 17 points as St. Francis posted a 75-44 victory over Franklin on Tuesday night.

“It was a lot of fun tonight,” said Keitges. “We all connected on the court and our sequences of passes were on point.”

Keitges knocked down five three-pointers as part of her record night, scoring in double digits for the third time this season.

“I was focusing on my form and to shoot it with arc and spin on it,” said Keitges. “They went in for me tonight.”

Dads, enjoy a wonderful evening with your daughter! 

This special event is sure to provide many opportunities to make lasting memories.

Ticket price includes: Close, ample and free parking; a delicious buffet dinner at interactive food stations; dessert bar; unlimited non-alcoholic specialty drinks; candy bar; Treasure Chest; dancing; and, Many returning games and activities with new surprises!

Nika Bagatelos is in her third season with the St. Francis varsity team after earning a call-up her freshman season. She has played basketball all her life. Nika set a sophomore school record with 56 three-pointers last season and likes to knit hats in her spare time and works at the St. Johns Center. Her aunt Mindy was on the 1993 State Championship team.

The SF Players are pleased to present their annual Winter One Acts. The four one acts are varied and range from realistic to science fiction. This will be great night of theatre showcasing the talents of the St. Francis High School advanced acting company.

Each year the One Acts are performed before a panel of judges and they select one of the One Act shows to be presented at the Lenaea High School Theatre Festival on Feb.4 at the Harris Center in Folsom.

Congratulation to SFHS Theatre Alumna Jesscia Crouch ‘04 who has been cast in the Broadway bound Pretty Woman: The Musical! Jessie was very active member of the SF Theatre Program. She performed in musicals, plays and was a member to the SF Players all four years of high school. Jessie received an Elly Award for her final performance as Winifred in Once Upon a Mattress! After high school she graduated in musical theatre from NYU Tisch and has been working non stop since in regional theatres and national tours.

Anna Huber is on her second season with the varsity team and fourth season overall in the soccer program. She is considering several schools for college including Nevada, Wheaton, Dominican, UC Santa Cruz and Seattle University. She is joined on the team by her twin sister, Rachel, who was born one minute earlier. She likes to cook in her free time and her grandma’s chicken dumplings is her specialty. She has two goals this season and 27 in her St. Francis career, including 16 during her freshman season.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The St. Francis soccer team will open Delta League play on Tuesday, Jan. 2 at 3:30 p.m. at Granite Regional Park against Grant.

The Troubadours are coming off the Tri-Valley Classic, posting a 2-0-2 record over the two day tournament. St. Francis posted a pair of ties against San Ramon Valley (1-1) behind a Jane DeFazio goal and 0-0 tie versus Clayton Valley Charter as Sydney Galvan and Kimberly Riley combined for the shutout.

QUEEN Creek, Ariz. – The St. Francis basketball team used a strong second quarter for the second consecutive day to help post a 51-39 win over Warren (Calif.) and advance to the consolation bracket championship Friday.

“We built off the energy from last game with our defensive intensity,” said junior Nika Bagatelos. “That started it off and then our shots started falling.”

Bagatelos finished with 13 points with three triples and senior Logan Kelly scored a team-high 15 points as the Troubadours won their second game in three days.

QUEEN CREEK, Ariz. – The St. Francis basketball team dropped their opener in the 2017 Nike Tournament of Champions to Horizon (Colo.) 59-35 at Queen Creek High School. Four Troubadours scored six points each to lead the team.

“They need to take the challenge to be ready to compete from the start of the day until game time,” said Head Coach Vic Pitton. “No one is going to do it for them and they have to do it themselves.”

AJ Tanner is in her second season on the varsity team and has been selected one of the squad’s captains for the 2017-18 season. She has made a commitment to play soccer at San Francisco State for the Gator program. AJ stands for Alyssa Joselyn. She likes to cook in her spare time and brownies are her specialty. She also played softball growing up but has focused on soccer in high school.

Lindsey Porter is in her third season on the varsity team. She recently committed to play at UCSB in the Fall of 2019. She is a captain. She is tied for the team lead in goals with two and ranks second with five points.

What did the team learn from Holy Cup?
“From Holy Cup, I think as a whole we learned to play more as a team and trust in each other’s abilities. We also learned that in order to succeed, our desire for success needs to be greater than our fear of failure.”

Junior Scores First Goal Since Return from Knee Injury

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Junior Anne Ayotte scored her first goal since returning from a knee injury that cost her the entire sophomore season, providing a positive note in a 2-1 loss to Bella Vista on Tuesday at Granite Regional Park.

“Bella Vista tried to clear it and didn’t and I shot it with my left into the corner,” said Ayotte. “It feels so good. It is my first goal since I have gotten back so it was fun.”

Allie Cloninger is a captain for the varsity team this season in her third season with the team and fourth overall in the program. She has two goals this season in the first three games after scoring just one in her first two varsity seasons.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – St. Francis Volleyball Head Coach Alynn Wright was named the Delta League Coach of the Year in a vote of the league’s coaches.

“She focuses on volleyball but that is not her main priority,” said senior Mady Schildmeyer. “It is helping us become better women. Since (my first season on varsity) my sophomore year, she has helped me with my confidence on and off the court. Having that flourish is a big factor with who I am on the court and as a person.”

FRESNO, Calif. – After winning the Delta League and Section Championships, the St. Francis cross country team will toe the line at Woodward Park on Saturday morning chasing one final title to top off the season.

“The last two weeks have been great,” said Head Coach Aaron Rios about training since the section meet. “The girls are looking the best they have all season — only a few seconds apart. I really hope this translates to the meet. If this happens, we’re looking at a top 5 finish for sure.”

FOLSOM, Calif. – The St. Francis tennis team lost 5-2 in the semifinals of the CIF Northern California Regional Championships Friday to eventual champion Los Gatos. The Troubadours advanced with a 4-3 win over Dougherty Valley earlier in the day.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – St. Francis Tennis Coach Kristi Spector has been named the Delta League Coach of the Year for the second consecutive season.

“I am humbled because it is voted on by the other coaches,” said Spector. “It is not who is undefeated or first in your league to be named coach of the year. I appreciate the fact that the others coaches felt that I am connected with my team in a way that they decided to vote me coach of the year.”

CIF NorCal Water Polo Bracket

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The St. Francis water polo team garnered a CIF Northern California Regional water polo berth and will play No. 1 seed Miramonte at Campolindo High School in Moraga on Tuesday at 6 p.m.

Sac-Joaquin Section Division I Bracket

MODESTO, Calif. – The St. Francis water polo team advanced to the Sac-Joaquin Section Championship match with a 4-3 win over St. Mary’s in Modesto today. The Troubies will play Davis at 6:15 p.m. at ARC on Sat Sac-Joaquin Section Division I Bracket Saturday night.

Sac-Joaquin Section Bracket

SACRAMENTO, CALIF.  – The St. Francis tennis team advanced to the Sac-Joaquin Section Championship for the second consecutive season with a 7-2 win over Davis in the semifinals on Tuesday at Rio del Oro Racquet Club. St. Francis (17-0), the top seed, will play No. 2 Del Oro on Thursday at a site to be determined.

ROSEVILLE, Calif. – St. Francis seniors Kiya and Kyla Jackson defeated the team of Ali Isaac and Emma Dobson of Del Oro to win the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I Doubles title at Johnson Ranch Racquet Club Monday.

“We are very ecstatic,” said Head Coach Kristi Spector. “They have been working on this for a long time and it is really special coming in their senior year. They played as a team and did not deviate from their strategy. It is what pulled them though.”

Varsity Results

FROGTOWN, Calif. – The St. Francis varsity cross country team won the Sac-Joaquin Subsection meet with 72 points to edge Vacaville with a pair of top-10 finishes.

Benush Loses in Second Round to No. 1 Seed Tan

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Kiya and Kyla Jackson advanced into the semifinals of the Sac-Joaquin Section doubles draw on Thursday. Play was postponed for Friday and rescheduled for Monday morning.

Sophomore Adithi Benush advanced to the second round of the singles draw before falling to top seed Jacquie Tan of Franklin 6-0, 6-0. She had advanced with a three-set win over Laura Wadsworth of Armijo 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 in the opening round.

Sac-Joaquin Section Playoff Bracket

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The St. Francis tennis team, the top seed in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I bracket, advanced with an 8-1 win over McClatchy Wednesday at Rio del Oro Racquet Club.

“I am really proud of the way the girls played, especially being in the middle of Homecoming week,” said Head Coach Kristi Spector. “I wanted them to play their game and not get caught up in another person’s game.”

SACRAMENTO, CALIF. – The St. Francis volleyball team easily advanced with a 3-0 win over Kennedy in the opening round of the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs.

“They were very, very focused tonight,” said Head Coach Alynn Wright. “I thought they served really well was good to see how scrappy defensively they played. They looked like they were having fun and they followed the game plan to a tee.”

St. Francis had big runs in each set aided by strong serving. The Troubadours tallied 16 aces on the night with only one error.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Six St. Francis players were named to the All-Delta League tennis team based on play at the Delta League Singles and Doubles Championships.

The six honorees include junior Myra Anwar and Adithi Benush in singles and the doubles teams of seniors Kiya and Kyla Jackson and senior Cameron Parra and Izzy Asker.

2017 Under Armour AVCA Underclassman Phenom list

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Sophomore volleyball player Alexa Edwards has been named to the 2017 Under Armour AVCA Underclassman Phenom list.

Edwards ranked 10th in Division I in the state of California in kills (449) and 35th in kills per set (4.65). She has also recorded 296 digs with 46 blocks.

Sac-Joaquin Section Division I North Results

RANCHO MURIETA, Calif. – Junior Patricia Sweeney carded a two-over par 74 to pace the St. Francis golf team and help the Troubadours advance to the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters.

“I played with the No. 1 player (Sienna Lyford) and that helped keep my game because I am a very competitive person,” said Sweeney. “I was trying to beat her. I played really well.”

Troubadours Fall in Semifinals to Ponderosa

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The St. Francis varsity volleyball team finished tied for third in its own Super 8 Invitational on Saturday at St. Francis. The Troubadours went 2-1 in Pool A with wins over Vacaville (25-11, 25-13) and Whitney (25-18, 25-14) before falling in three to Cosumnes Oaks 21-25, 25-23, 15-12.

The Troubadours lost to eventual champion Ponderosa in three sets in the semifinals before the Bruins went on to defeat Cosumnes Oaks in the final; Elk Grove won the consolation bracket.

Alexa Edwards is a returning All-Delta League selection who was a Freshman All-America selection by MaxPreps. She opened her sophomore season by gracing the cover of SportStars magazine for their Volleyball Preview issue. She likes to hang out with her friends and enjoys watching basketball and soccer on TV.

Troubies Clinch Delta League for Third Consecutive Season

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The St. Francis tennis seniors were recognized prior to the match and helped clinch with a 9-0 win to wrap up the regular season undefeated with a third straight Delta League title.

“It feels great because we did it as a team,” said Head Coach Kristi Spector. “Everybody contributed all the way down the ladder – all 18 girls. Overall, we lost five individual matches the entire season.”

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Tennis senior Marisa Fat has been named a School Winner in the Wendy’s High School Heisman Award. Fat has helped the St. Francis tennis team to a 14-0 record this season and the Delta League team title. She has posted a 7-1 single record this season at Nos. 2, 3 and 5 singles positions. She is also the Student Body Vice President.

Team Title Decided by Tiebreaker

ELK GROVE, Calif. – Patricia Sweeney was the top finisher for the Troubadours in a tie for second overall as St. Francis tied for the team title with Pleasant Grove, eventually winning with the tiebreaker.

Sweeney shot a one-under par 71 to tie with three players in second. Lexi Martin of Pleasant Grove was the individual winner with a six-under par 66.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Freshman Alex Evans won her singles match at No. 6 singles without dropping a single game 6-0, 6-0 as St. Francis defeated Sheldon 9-0 on Thursday.

“It feels good to contribute,” said Evans. “When I came in I was expecting something a lot different. All the girls really want to be here and really put a lot of effort into the team. It makes me want to try harder.”

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Senior Chase Saca had an ace on the 17th hole at Bartley Cavanaugh Golf Course on Monday as part of four-over par round of 75 as St. Francis won its second Delta League Center match.

“It was my first hole-in-one ever,” said Saca. “I was shocked at first and did not know it went in.”

Saca hit a wedge on the 17th hole island green surrounded by water, hitting the pin on the fly and the ball disappeared in the hole. It was her first career hole, a golfing achievement many never accomplish in a lifetime on the links.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Junior Malia Arnott scored three goals including two in the opening quarter as St. Francis finished the Grizzly Classic with a 15-5 win over Mt. Whitney from Visalia. The Troubadours went 3-1 on the weekend with wins over Ponderosa (14-2), Valley Christian (8-6) and Mt. Whitney. The lone loss came to Drake in the first game on Saturday.

St. Francis (12-5) jumped to a 5-0 lead against the Pioneers behind Arnott with Kendall Houck, Reagan Garcia and Libby Slater. The Troubies extended the lead to 9-0 in the second quarter and cruised to the win.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Four players scored four or more goals each in a 31-1 victory over Monterey Trail on Tuesday in the home opener for the St. Francis water polo team.

“It feels good to contribute,” said junior Hayley Hoang, who scored four goals and added three assists and three steals. “We accomplished what we practiced and we put everything together today.”

St. Francis (9-4) scored nine goals in each of the first two quarters while the Mustangs managed just one goals.

“We wanted to be patient with the ball,” said Hoang.

Maddie Lima is on her first season with the varsity unit and second season in the water polo program. She did not play last season because of her commute from Penn Valley. But she prepped for last year for tryouts by playing polo in a lake near her house with alumna Sophia Rubino. Maddie’s top college choice at this time is Gonzaga. She is a part of several clubs on campus including Medicine & More, Keep Tahoe Green, Adventure Club and Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Capital Cross Challenge Results

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The St. Francis cross country teams each finished third in their respective races at the Capital Cross Challenge at Haggin Oaks Golf Course on Saturday.

STOCKTON, Calif. – Sophomore Kendall Houck scored four goals as St. Francis overcame an early deficit to post an 8-5 win over St. Mary’s.

The Troubadours trailed at the half 2-1 but scored six goals in the second half to take the game. Houck scored three of her six goals in the second half. Senior Kobe Carpenter scored the first and last goals in the contest with Caroline Wilkins and Natalie Imboden also contributing.

SF hosts its first game On Tuesday Oct. 3 against Monterey Trail.

St. Francis 8, St. Mary’s 5

Maggie Malaney is in her fourth season on the volleyball team. She is a two-sport letter winner, becoming the first Troubie to earn a varsity letter in both basketball and volleyball since 1993. She suffered a knee injury against Oak Ridge earlier this season but is still a positive influence on the bench and at practice. Maggie’s twin brother Jake plays football and basketball at Jesuit. She hopes to attend college out of state with Notre Dame as her goal.

ELK GROVE, Calif. – The St. Francis volleyball team cruised to a 3-0 win over Sheldon Monday, winning their seventh consecutive match to improve to 14-2 and 5-0 in the Delta League.

“We did pretty good,” said setter Jesiree Moral. “There are definitely some things we can work on in slower paced games. Overall, we did pretty well executing.”

The Troubadours dropped just 19 points in the match and hit 46 percent. Malia Berry led the team with eight kills and freshman Chloe Henning added seven in the win.

SACRAMENTO, Calif.  – The St. Francis tennis team defeated rival Franklin 8-1 on Thursday at Rio del Oro Racquet Club to remain undefeated in Delta League play.

“It is a great victory and it is always competitive at the top part of the ladder,” said Spector of the match with Franklin. “We never know (how the match will turn out). We played our top lineup and everyone as hard as they could. In the end we had a great victory.”

The Troubadours won five of six singles matches and swept all three doubles matches to cruise to the victory.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Senior Lauren Allen and junior Patricia Sweeney tied for medalist honors with one-over par rounds of 37 to pace the St. Francis golf team to a win over Davis. The Troubadours posted a five-player score of 191, a season-best for the second consecutive dual match, over Davis, who posted a 214.

Four Troubadours posted round under 40 including a two-over par 38 by senior Chase Saca and a three-over par 39 by Ceci Fletcher, a career-best. Junior Olivia Alcoran carded a four-over 40, while sophomore Nashla Aguero recorded a 41.

RANCHO MURIETA, Calif. – Senior Chase Saca was one of three golfers to break 40 for nine holes as St. Francis defeated Pleasant Grove 203-212 at Rancho Murieta Country Club on Wednesday. Saca tied teammate Olivia Alcoran for second overall with three-over par rounds of 39. Junior Patricia Sweeney was the individual medalist with a two-over par 38. The Troubadours also counted a 43 by Lauren Allen and a 44 Nashla Aguero for the 203 team score, edging the Eagles by 212.

St. Francis 203, Pleasant Grove 212

Gracie Hause (aka Condo) is in her second season with the varsity volleyball team. A fun fact about Gracie is she has six dogs. She wears No. 11 for her birth date. She went to Hawaii and Germany this summer.

How fast has your time at St. Francis gone?
“I did not believe everyone when they said it would go by fast. It is senior year and I do not even know what happened.”

ATHERTON, Calif. – The St. Francis water polo team posted a shutout over Palo Alto Friday afternoon to advance to Saturday’s action and chance to play for the top spot in the consolation bracket.

“I was really happy with how we approached our defensive attack,” said Head Coach Heather Moody. “We are doing a really good job pressing, fouling with a purpose and knowing what is next.”

The Athletic department will partner with Campus Ministry on Wednesday to raise funds for Catholic Charities USA by donating all gate receipts from the El Camino game on Wednesday, Sept. 6. CCUSA is the official domestic relief agency of the US Catholic Church. St. Francis’ donation to CCUSA’s Disaster fund will support disaster response and recovery efforts including direct assistance, rebuilding, and health care services. 

Please participate in one or more of the options listed below:

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The St. Francis varsity volleyball team won its Foundation Game on Monday over Roseville 25-18, 25-15, 25-17.

“We did really good,” said senior setter Mady Schildmeyer. “Once we got the jitters out, we connected so well and stayed together as a team. I loved it. It was one of the most fun games I have ever played.”

FOLSOM, Calif. – The St. Francis tennis team opened the 2017 season with a 9-0 win over Folsom in the opening round of the B.O.S.S. Tournament Friday. The Troubadours will play Granite Bay in the semifinals on Saturday at 10 a.m. at Rocklin High School.

The St. Francis Athletics Department will sell Sports Passes for the 2018-19 volleyball and basketball seasons.

All Freshmen are to wear a solid white t-shirt with their first name on the front and their last name on the back each day during tryouts.  A sharpie can be used to write your name on the t-shirts.

NOTE TO FRESHMAN: All Freshmen are to wear a solid white t-shirt with their first name on the front and their last name on the back each day during tryouts.  A sharpie can be used to write your name on the t-shirts. #TellaFriend