Cal Pac Selects Players of the Week for Oct. 14
The following California Pacific Conference student-athletes have been recognized as the conference Players of the Week for their performances during the period of Oct. 7-13:
WOMEN'S SOCCER
Offensive Player of the Week
In last week's 7-2 win over Cal Maritime, Providence Christian's Isabella Pecunes started the first half as a center-back and assisted on a corner kick goal. In the second half, the sophomore from Mount Pleasant, SC, moved to the midfield position and scored a hat-trick to help the Sea Beggars earn their first conference win of the season.
Also nominated:
Gia Aldama (La Sierra)
Kamry Aragon (Soka)
Kaeley Cariglio (UC Merced)
Chloe Tague (Simpson)
Jysabella Tolentino (Westcliff)
Defensive Player of the Week
Katy Flores of UC Merced anchored a defense that registered a 0-0 draw against Westcliff last Thursday. In the shutout, their seventh of the season, the Bobcats allowed just two WU shots, an impressive effort considering the Warriors had averaged over five goals a game over their previous seven matches. Flores, a junior midfielder from Ladera Ranch, Calif., played all 90 minutes.
Also nominated:
Kayli Cokley (Westcliff)
Elaina Gonzalez (La Sierra)
Kiah Gridley (Simpson)
Janelle Lopez (Providence Christian)
Nicole Salazar (Soka)
MEN'S SOCCER
Offensive Player of the Week
Jordy Verde of La Sierra had a big week for the Golden Eagles, who lost a non-conference game to Stanton on Monday before shutting down Pacific Union 4-0 on Sunday. The freshman midfielder from Lake Elsinore, Calif., scored the only goal against the Elk and then poured in goal in each half in the win against the Pioneers. For the week, Verde connected on 3-of-5 shots on goal.
Also nominated:
Omar Garcia (UC Merced)
Erick Martinez (Providence Christian)
Lucas Rosell (Westcliff)
Kenneth Ugalde (Soka)
Defensive Player of the Week
Westcliff keeper Jesse Heredia came up big in the biggest match of the season against #23 UC Merced. The junior from Wilmington, Calif., was in the net as the Warrior defense held the Bobcats scoreless, finishing with five saves—including a key one on the potential game-winning goal in the final seconds. Heredia picked up another shutout victory—his ninth of the year—when WU beat Providence Christian 9-0 on Saturday.
Also nominated:
Adrian Alvarez (La Sierra)
Angelo Funes (Providence Christian)
Angel Joaquin (UC Merced)
Adalid Oregon (Soka)
WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL
Attacker of the Week
Sera Riley of UC Merced had a monster two-match week averaging 4.4 kills, 4.4 digs, and 0.5 service aces per set in wins against Simpson and Pacific Union. The junior outside hitter from Yorba Linda, Calif., had a double-double and two service aces in each match, and maintained an impressive .466 hitting percentage overall. Riley had 14 kills hitting .522 against PUC before tying her season-high with 17 kills as well as a career-high 20 digs less than 24 hours later against SU.
Also nominated:
Samantha Carelock (Westcliff)
Kierston-Joy Kuresa (La Sierra)
Jacey Loewen (Providence Christian)
Mariah Napoleon (Simpson)
Setter of the Week
Providence Christian's Tehani Ho'okano directed a Sea Beggar offense that recorded back-to-back sweeps last week. PCC defeated Westcliff and La Sierra in straight sets behind an offensive barrage led by the senior setter from Kane'ohe, Hawaii, who handed out 56 assists (9.33 per set) and added six kills and 12 digs.
Also nominated:
Ella Beck (Westcliff)
Sophia Cardenas (La Sierra)
Kyra Miller (UC Merced)
Abigail Shackelford (Simpson)
Defender of the Week
Ava Himstreet of La Sierra turned in another week of outstanding defensive performances, helping the Golden Eagles earn a split in their two Cal Pac matches. The senior from San Antonio, Tex., totaled 37 digs (6.17 per set) and recorded 25 receptions without an error. She also contributed six kills and seven assists on the offensive side.
Also nominated:
Katie Graham (Simpson)
Chenelle Jones (Providence Christian)
Sam Swanson (Westcliff)
Alexa Ultreras (UC Merced)