LOCAL SPORTS PULSE
Each week PresidioSports.com publishes a running dialogue of updates and thoughts concerning the local sports scene, along with an occasional blend of national sports issues and events.
Wopat picked Volleyball Magazine first-team All-American
Wopat led the Pac-12 in blocks per set (1.63), which ranks second nationally. She finished third in the conference with a .383 hitting percentage. An AVCA All-Pacific Region and an All-Pac-12 Conference pick, she was second on the team with 3.16 kills and 4.08 points per set.
Arizona counting on Riley Moore behind the plate
Fitt reported that Wildcat freshman David Schuknecht suffered a torn labrum and is out for the year, opening the door for Moore, who was a 21st-round pick in the 2011 MLB First-Year Player Draft.
Sami Hill playing for national team
Former Dos Pueblos High star Sami Hill is playing for the U.S. Women’s National Water Polo senior team at the Pan Pacs Tournament in Australia.
Santa Barbara High alum and Team USA veteran Kami Craig is also on the squad.
Gauchos get it done at MLS Combine
Tuesday is the final day of the Major League Soccer Player Combine, a showcase for players eligible for the league’s SuperDraft on Thursday. In a Sunday game featuring UCSB’s James Kiffe and Sam Garza, Kiffe scored a goal and Garza had an assist. Luis Silva continued to draw raves from MLS coaches and soccer pundits with his game and field awareness.
TOC’s top seed led by UCSB water polo recruit
Foothill, the No. 1 seeded team for this weekend’s Santa Barbara’s Tournament of Champions, starts the week with a 12-1 record and a No. 1 ranking in CIF Division 1. The Lady Knights are led by Jessie Porter, a UCSB recruit, and McKenna Mitchell (UC Irvine).
Porter led Foothill to a 7-6 win over Santa Barbara in the championship of the Newport Harbor Holiday Cup.
Santa Barbara is the TOC’s No. 2 seed, Corona del Mar is third and Newport Harbor is fourth. Dos Pueblos is seeking its fourth straight tournament title.
Fall’s top coaches have local ties
There is a local flavor to the California Coaches Association’s first-ever selections for CIF Southern Section Fall Coaches of the Year. The football coach of the year is Vista Murrieta’s Coley Candaele, who was a CIF football and track champion at Carpinteria.
The winner in water polo is Mater Dei’s Chris Segesman, who was a star player at Dos Pueblos. Lompoc’s Andrew Jones was named the Rookie Coach of the Year for football (less than three years at the helm).
In girls tennis, Santa Barbara’s Steve Geremia was a finalist for the award, which was won by Sue Sherman of Buckley.
Canitez honored by GSAC
Westmont junior forward Tugce Canitez has been named the Golden State Athletic Conference Women’s Basketball Player of the Week, and the Warriors (14-1) moved up to No. 4 in the NAIA national rankings.
Canitez scored 23 points, had nine rebounds and eight assists in a win over No. 10 Vanguard. She poured in 25 points, had seven rebounds and five assists in a victory over San Diego Christian.
