Press release
Lady Cardinal volleyball player Brianna Salas was named Student-Athlete of the Month at Trinity Valley Community College at the first Cardinal Pride Luncheon of the 2015 fall semester held Monday at Hunan Buffet.
Salas, a 5-9 outside hitter from Fort Worth Chisolm Trail High School, currently leads the Lady Cardinals in kills and serving percentage. Salas, an all-tournament selection at Brookhaven earlier this season, is the team’s floor captain.
“She has come in as a freshman and put in a lot of work and it is starting to pay off on the court,” Coach Tosha Spain said in making the presentation. “She has an exciting future ahead of her and I am excited we get to have her at Trinity Valley to witness it.”
The event is held monthly during the fall and spring semesters to provide Cardinal boosters and fans an opportunity to hear from coaches and interact with athletic department staff and athletes.
Also honored Monday was TVCC photography instructor Richard Hawkins. He was presented a plaque by Associate Athletic Director/Head Men’s Basketball Coach Kris Baumann for his contributions to athletics at the college.
Each coach gave an update on their teams.
Spain noted the freshman-laden Lady Cardinals are 5-13 and will be at home Saturday against Hill College at 2 p.m.
The Lady Cardinal softball team is off to a 5-0 start in its exhibition season. Coach Ashley Johnston named freshman Torri Hedrick as the team’s Outstanding Athlete of the Month. Through five games, Hedrick is hitting .833 with six doubles and five RBI.
In other softball news, Mary Nicholson, the college’s Vice President of Institutional Advancement, announced the Lady Cardinals’ field will be named W.P. “Rip” Drumgoole Field at Cain Park. The honor for the late Vice President of Student Services was approved by the Athens City Council last week.
Athletic Director/Head Football Coach Brad Smiley gave a recap of the Cardinals’ first four games, which has seen them bounce back after couple of losses to start the season. The Cardinals are 2-2 overall and 2-1 in conference play. Smiley noted the play of defensive lineman J.T. Williams in Saturday’s 58-40 win against Cisco. The Cardinals go to Kilgore this week. Game time Saturday is 7 p.m.
Head Women’s Basketball Coach Gerald Ewing, Cheer Coach Khris Franklin and Baumann gave updates on their squads and invited fans to attend practices.
The next luncheon is scheduled Monday, Oct. 12, at Papa Tilo’s. It will begin at noon.