Athlete of the Week: Del Oro alumna Kendal Manley leads Wolverines softball to two wins over Sac City

The Sierra College softball team is currently having the best season in school history as it is 35-1 with a winning streak of 23 games in a row and is second in the California Community College Athletic Association rankings. There are many keys to the Wolverines success but one big reason has been freshman and Del Oro High alumna Kendal Manley, who has led the way at the plate with seven home runs and 32 runs batted in (RBI's). Manley hit a walk-off two run homer in a 3-1 win against Sacramento City last Saturday. She then stepped onto the mound for the second game of the doubleheader against the Panthers and pitched six scoreless innings while striking out three batters in a 1-0 win. Sierra College currently has four games remaining in the regular season before the NorCal playoffs begin and has already clinched the Big 8 Conference title. Gold Country Media asked Manley some questions and her answers follow. What is the best part about playing softball at Sierra College? Manley: "I think the best part about playing at Sierra College is coming onto a new team, new coaches, new atmosphere. I have never experienced that throughout all my years playing so it was so good to have a change." How long have you been competitively playing softball and who/what is your biggest motivation? Manley: "I've been playing competitively since I was 14 but have been around the game since I was 7. My biggest motivation to this day is probably myself. I've been through so much these past few years and have experienced the game being taken away in the blink of an eye. So playing every game like it's my last is my motivation to myself." Did any of your family members play sports and if so, who and at what levels? Manley: "No one in my family played any sports past high school. My older sister played one year of water polo at Sierra." You hit a walk-off two-run home run in the first win over Sacramento City College last Saturday. What were you seeing on that pitch and how exciting was the moment when you rounded third to meet your teammates at home plate? Manley: "At that moment, I knew I had to do my job and help my team out. After coming up to bat 0 for 3, I knew I needed to execute. I went up to the plate with that mindset and was looking for my pitch. I knew when I hit that ball, it was out. When I was rounding third to meet my teammates, all I could think about was that this is the reason I play this game for moments like this." You went on to pitch six scoreless innings in the next game. What do you feel have been your biggest keys to success on the mound this season? Manley: "I think my biggest success on the mound has been knowing I have the best defense behind me and allowing myself to trust them and play the game one batter at a time." Sierra College is off to its best start in school history at 35-1. How special has this season been for you and what are some of your biggest individual and team goals for the remainder of the season? Manley: "I feel so special to be a part of this team. I think we have something super special and share similar goals. I think we're all so determined to help the sophomores get back to where they ended last year and fight all the way to the end." You played four years of varsity softball right up the road at Del Oro High. Two-part question, first, how special is it to continue to play your sport so close to home and second, how does the community of Loomis and Del Oro still have an impact on you as a person and a player to this day? Manley: "I find it so special to be playing so close to home. Growing up going to Del Oro has had a huge impact on myself not only as a player but as a person too. The bond I had with my high school team was incredible but this season on the Sierra team is equally as special in its own ways." Have you ever been involved in other sports? Manley: "I've played almost every sport in the books, including dance, soccer, T-ball, swim, and I played volleyball up until my sophomore year in high school." What are you currently majoring in and do you have a favorite college class? Manley: "I'm studying liberal arts and psychology in the hopes to become an elementary school teacher in the future." Who is your favorite musical artist/band? Manley: "I love country. My top favorite artists are Luke Combs and Morgan Wallen." Favorite restaurant and favorite food? Manley: "My favorite restaurant is BJ's and I also love a good street taco." Outside of school and playing softball, what do you like to do in your free time? Manley: "I work at Dutch Bros. and I love it there, I also umpire here and there for the Five Cities Rec League. I enjoy hanging out with friends and being outside." If you had a piece of advice for other local athletes, what would you tell them? Manley: "If I had a piece of advice for athletes, I would say that everything happens for a reason. I've told myself this for as long as I can remember and it's reassuring knowing that whether your situation is good or bad, there is always a learning piece connected. And playing sports is all about living and learning."