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General Kate Nygaard

SLCC Athletics' Women's teams soar to new heights

In the 2009-2010 seasons the SLCC women teams combined to have a record of 116 wins to just 20 losses.  Two of the teams received the number one ranking heading in to the NJCAA National Tournament.  One head coach reached a major milestone, all three were named Coaches of the Year and there were a total of seven All Americans combined.  It is safe to say that Women's Basketball, Volleyball and Softball set the mark high.

Women's Volleyball began the season in the fall of 2009.  Head Coach Sue Dulaney was entering her second season at SLCC and wanted to make it a memorable one.  The team did just that; in a tough Region 18, SLCC battled to an 8-2 record winning the Scenic West and the right to host the Region 18 Tournament. Winning the tournament was no easy task; Salt Lake reached the finals where they faced rival College of Southern Idaho.  Winning in five sets, Salt Lake was headed to the NJCAA National Tournament with the number one seed.  The Bruins faced tough competition at nationals, eventually lining up with rivals Southern Idaho once again. Salt Lake fell to eventual national champs Southern Idaho in four sets.  The 2009 season was exactly what Head Coach Sue Dulaney wanted- memorable.  The team was awarded with five All Region players, two NJCAA All Americans and Coach Dulaney was named District Coach of the Year.

Entering into the 2009-2010 season, Coach Specketer knew her team would compete with the best teams around; however, after starting the season 1-1 some questions remained unanswered.  Once the team rallied off 19 straight wins and reached the #2 ranking in the NJCAA, the unanswered questions were a thing of the past. Freshman Haley Holmstead broke the single season record with 40 points scored in a game against Southern Idaho and was named NJCAA player of the week and lead the nation in scoring.  The team took the SWAC title for the first time since 2007 with an overall record of 26-6 and 16-4 in conference play.  At the Region 18 tournament, Salt Lake looked as if they were going to cruise to the National Tournament; however, a young and dangerous North Idaho team had other plans. After falling down by 15 points at halftime, the Bruins were unable to recover placing 2nd at the Region 18 Tournament and missing a chance to return to Nationals.  Holmstead was named 1st team NJCAA All American and Coach Specketer was Region Coach of the Year. 

After an incredible 2009 season that saw the women's softball team win the SWAC and Region 18 tournament, what else needed to be accomplished? Don't ask that question to head coach Mark Kay Amicone- the 2010 team proved that you can always get better. The season started out with a surprising win over reigning national champions Yavapai, then the steak began. The team rallied off 39 consecutive wins in a row a feat that no one expected. The streak shot SLCC into the number one rank in the NJCAA; a first time occurrence for softball. The team stayed in the number one spot until they dropped two games to Southern Idaho but regained the top spot again shortly thereafter. The team finished the season with a record of 61-5 going 43-3 in the tough Scenic West Conference.

The awards poured in- three 1st team All Americans, one 2nd team All American, three NFCA All Americans, NFCA West Coaches of the Year, Diamond Sports Catcher of the Year, SWAC Pitcher of the Year and SWAC Player of the Year. The awards were only a small part of what turned into being one of the best seasons in SLCC softball history.  The team of 16 individual players turned into a family of 16 that supported each other no matter the challenge. 

In 2010-2011 the women's teams are looking forward to more challenges, win streaks and championships. Volleyball begins their season in Twin Falls, Idaho at the CSI Invitational tournament held Aug. 27-28.  The team will open up at home when they host the SLCC Tournament September 3-4.  Women's Basketball starts the 2010-11 season in Cedar City at the SUU Tournament in November and Softball will start the season in the spring of 2011. Don't forget the men- Men's Basketball starts their season Nov. 4 at home and baseball will begin in the spring of 2011. 

To follow all the SLCC athletic teams, check out the new SLCC Athletics website, slccbruins.com. Salt Lake partnered with Internet Consult Service to launch the new website in the spring of 2010.  The new site allows fans to follow their favorite team via live stats, SMS messages and game recaps following each game. The athletics department is very excited about the possibilities that the new website brings.    The athletics department is also going green; media guides will no longer be printed, however they will all be available on the website. Athletics is also on Facebook. Become a fan and find out what the teams are up to on and off the court. 

All students get into every game free with their ONE card.


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