Around the Horn 5-16-16
DVC AROUND THE HORN: SOFTBALL, TRACK, VOLLEYBALL
May 16, 2016
VIKINGS BATTLE TO THE FINISH
The never-say-die DVC softball team suffered a season-ending 5-3 loss to San Jose on Saturday in the Super Regional in Fresno.
Down 4-0, DVC cut it to 4-3 wth two mighty swings of the bat -- on a two-run home run by Cynthia Duenas and a solo shot by Bailey Simmons, who had a stellar showing in the Regional and Super Regional.
"I really felt the whole weekend at the tournament we competed really well," DVC coach Dennis Luquet said. "When we got behind, we didn't give up. We battled the whole way."
The Vikings opened the Super Regional with a heartbreaking 8-5 defeat to Fresno City, after the host Rams hit a walk-off grand slam. The Vikings scored three in the seventh to take a 5-4 lead, on Simmons' RBI double and a two-run single by Natalie Larsen.
DVC catcher Katie Kaprive was 2 for 3, and leadoff Julianna Deighton scored two runs.
The carry-over from Friday's defeat appeared to produce a flat start against San Jose, but the seventh-seeded Vikings battled until the final out. Two close calls that went against the Vikings proved too much to overcome.
Overall, DVC played very respectably against two conference champions in the Vikings' second consecutive berth in the Super Regionals.
The never-say-die DVC softball team suffered a season-ending 5-3 loss to San Jose on Saturday in the Super Regional in Fresno.
Down 4-0, DVC cut it to 4-3 wth two mighty swings of the bat -- on a two-run home run by Cynthia Duenas and a solo shot by Bailey Simmons, who had a stellar showing in the Regional and Super Regional.
"I really felt the whole weekend at the tournament we competed really well," DVC coach Dennis Luquet said. "When we got behind, we didn't give up. We battled the whole way."
The Vikings opened the Super Regional with a heartbreaking 8-5 defeat to Fresno City, after the host Rams hit a walk-off grand slam. The Vikings scored three in the seventh to take a 5-4 lead, on Simmons' RBI double and a two-run single by Natalie Larsen.
DVC catcher Katie Kaprive was 2 for 3, and leadoff Julianna Deighton scored two runs.
The carry-over from Friday's defeat appeared to produce a flat start against San Jose, but the seventh-seeded Vikings battled until the final out. Two close calls that went against the Vikings proved too much to overcome.
Overall, DVC played very respectably against two conference champions in the Vikings' second consecutive berth in the Super Regionals.
WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL
DVC's Noelle Vleisides, who has a 3.52 GPA, and plans to transfer to Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo and major in Graphic Communications, was selected to the 2016 CCCWVA Scholar Athlete Team.
Vleisides, a San Ramon Valley High graduate, was a sophomore outside hitter in the 2015 season.
DVC's Noelle Vleisides, who has a 3.52 GPA, and plans to transfer to Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo and major in Graphic Communications, was selected to the 2016 CCCWVA Scholar Athlete Team.
Vleisides, a San Ramon Valley High graduate, was a sophomore outside hitter in the 2015 season.
TRACK AND FIELD
Strangenae Campbell continued her prolific comeback season with victories in the women's 100 and 200 meters in the CCCAA NorCal Championships on Saturday at Chabot.
The DVC women finished sixth as a team, a massive improvement over the previous season when they wound up 22nd and last.
Campbell, in her return to track after graduating from Pinole Valley in 2011, upset the nation's No. 1 ranked community college sprinter, Moesha Davidson of Fresno City, in the 100 finals, prevailing in 11.60. She walso on the 200 (23.69) with the state's top time.
Campbell also helped the Vikings set a school record in the 4x100 relay (47.63), along with Tia Harper, Victoria Benson and Jordan Hinds.
Campbell's big final leg in the 4x400 relay helped the Vikings finish second in 3:58.39, along with teammates Angelina DazaSanchez, Harper, and Hinds.
The Vikings' top competitors advanced to the CCCAA State Championships Friday and Saturday at Mesa College in San Diego.
"I am very excited for state, but I have mixed emotions about it," Campbell said. "I'm very nervous about it. Last time I went to state I was in high school, I was running for Pinole, so it's been a minute. I'm excited, though, and I got my relay team coming with me. ... it's all overwhelming, but it's so exciting. I'm just happy to be here. I'm just blessed."
Brandy Williams won the shot put title with a PR of 45-11. Harper closed well to place fourth in the 800 (58.33). Laura Becerra was sixth in the 3,000 Steeplechase (12:30.38).
In men's action, Geoffrey Weseman placed fourth in a very competitive 800 final with a PR of 1:52.72.
Weseman also helped the men's 4x400 relay place third, along with Austin Harper, Kohlden Hochhaus and Isaiah Mobley.
The DVC men's 4x100 relay was a strong second in 41.21, with a team of Latrell Thayer, Harper, Nigel Burnett and Lionel White.
DVC finished 10th in the team standings.
Strangenae Campbell continued her prolific comeback season with victories in the women's 100 and 200 meters in the CCCAA NorCal Championships on Saturday at Chabot.
The DVC women finished sixth as a team, a massive improvement over the previous season when they wound up 22nd and last.
Campbell, in her return to track after graduating from Pinole Valley in 2011, upset the nation's No. 1 ranked community college sprinter, Moesha Davidson of Fresno City, in the 100 finals, prevailing in 11.60. She walso on the 200 (23.69) with the state's top time.
Campbell also helped the Vikings set a school record in the 4x100 relay (47.63), along with Tia Harper, Victoria Benson and Jordan Hinds.
Campbell's big final leg in the 4x400 relay helped the Vikings finish second in 3:58.39, along with teammates Angelina DazaSanchez, Harper, and Hinds.
The Vikings' top competitors advanced to the CCCAA State Championships Friday and Saturday at Mesa College in San Diego.
"I am very excited for state, but I have mixed emotions about it," Campbell said. "I'm very nervous about it. Last time I went to state I was in high school, I was running for Pinole, so it's been a minute. I'm excited, though, and I got my relay team coming with me. ... it's all overwhelming, but it's so exciting. I'm just happy to be here. I'm just blessed."
Brandy Williams won the shot put title with a PR of 45-11. Harper closed well to place fourth in the 800 (58.33). Laura Becerra was sixth in the 3,000 Steeplechase (12:30.38).
In men's action, Geoffrey Weseman placed fourth in a very competitive 800 final with a PR of 1:52.72.
Weseman also helped the men's 4x400 relay place third, along with Austin Harper, Kohlden Hochhaus and Isaiah Mobley.
The DVC men's 4x100 relay was a strong second in 41.21, with a team of Latrell Thayer, Harper, Nigel Burnett and Lionel White.
DVC finished 10th in the team standings.