Lions earn All-American honors

Senior Stephanie Flores tops three Vanguard University women’s volleyball players named NAIA All-Americans.

Flores, a 6-foot-1 middle blocker who was named Golden State Athletic Conference Player of the Year, was a first-team All-American after leading the Lions to the program’s first GSAC championship and a berth in the NAIA Tournament quarterfinals.

Vanguard seniors Sarah McKinny and Charlotte Heerlyn were second-team All-Americans.

Flores was also named Southwest Region Player of the Year by the American Volleyball Coaches Assn. and McKinny and Heerlyn were all-region honorees.

Vanguard freshman Rebecca Lowden was named Southwest Region Libero of the Year and received honorable mention in All-American voting.

Vanguard’s Eryn Leja was named Southwest Region Coach of the Year.

Junior setter Kelly Dalrymple received honorable mention in the all-region voting.

Flores, the only player to start all 31 Vanguard matches, finished the season with 190 kills and a .326 hitting percentage. She led the team with 123 total blocks.

McKinny, who played opposite and middle blocker, had 230 kills, a team-best .327 hitting percentage, and 119 total blocks.

Heerlyn, an outside hitter, led the Lions with 310 kills. She hit .286 and collected 76 total blocks.

Lowden had a team-best 589 digs and her 38 aces were second-best on the team.

Dalrymple had 732 assists and 246 digs.

Vanguard finished 24-7, 14-1 in conference. It was ranked as high as No. 4 nationally.

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Arellano All-American

Vanguard University junior midfielder Juan Arellano has been named NAIA second-team All-American in men’s soccer.

Arellano, a three-time All-Golden State Athletic Conference performer, had nine goals and a team-best seven assists to help the Lions finish 16-5, 8-2 in conference, and advance to the second round of the NAIA Tournament.

The Lions’ captain shared the team lead with four game-winning goals.

Vanguard senior forward Jesus Fregoso and sophomore goalkeeper Brandon Gomez, received honorable mention.

Fregoso led the GSAC with 12 goals, four of which were game-winners, and his three assists helped him lead Vanguard with 27 points (two points for a goal and one for an assist).

Gomez, a two-time All-GSAC performer, posted 10 shutouts and an 0.84 goals-against average.

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VU’s Allen lauded

Vanguard University junior women’s soccer forward Danyelle Allen received honorable mention in NAIA All-American voting.

Allen had 11 goals and three assists and her six game-winning goals led Golden State Athletic Conference players.

She helped the Lions finish 15-5-2 and advance to the second round of the NAIA Tournament.

— From staff reports