The Skagit Valley College (SVC) Athletic Department is celebrating a historic and record-setting fall 2021 sports season in volleyball, women’s soccer, and men’s soccer within the Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC).

The Cardinals were proudly ranked in the NWAC top 10 at No. 6 and received the Athletic Director’s Cup in the large school division (8-12 sports offered). The award recognizes schools that perform the best in the NWAC championships.

“Our fall coaches, Joe, Tony, and Jordan did a fantastic job establishing a successful culture within their programs under continued health and safety challenges,” said Athletic Director Mitch Freeman. “This year’s success will create continued momentum for their programs, our department, and SVC. I am thankful to our head coaches and the student-athletes who performed at a high level since they started last August.”

Skagit Valley College is a member of NWAC, which consists of two-year colleges in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and one college in British Columbia. To stay connected with the Cardinals, visit their Fan Zone, athletics.skagit.edu.

Volleyball 

Head coach Joe Amaral and the volleyball team finished the season with a 25-6 record and clinched second place in the NWAC tournament, which tied an SVC record set in 1987 for the highest finish.

Skagit’s team was comprised of five sophomores and four freshmen who began with a 12-0 start and finished North Division play with a two-way tie for second place.

Amaral was named the North Division Coach of the Year.

The Most Valuable Player selection went to team captain Brooklyn Johnson, with Faith Baar, Aynslee King, and Olivia Pratt being named All-Conference First Team and Second Team. Johnson and Pratt were also named to the NWAC Championships First Team, and Libby Miller was named to the Second Team. Johnson also earned Second Team All American Honors and Miller earned Third Team All American Honors.

Men’s Soccer

This year, head coach Jordan Carver restarted the SVC men’s soccer program, which has been one of the most prominent programs in NWAC history.

After a one-year hiatus, the Cardinals won five games and narrowly missed an opportunity to make the NWAC Championships.

During his first two months leading the Cardinals, Carver recruited an entire roster that included nine international student-athletes from France, Germany, and Japan.

This year’s team also included three North Division All-Stars: Aurelien Habasquez, Manuel Segura, and Tobie Smith.

Carver was named the North Division Coach of the Year.

Women’s Soccer 

Coach Tony Savoy’s connection with SVC soccer goes back to 1992-94 as a player, men’s assistant in 2000-01 and 2005-06, and women’s head coach in 2016.

When Savoy took the helm of the women’s team, the program was struggling to establish a winning season and advance to post season play. The team’s last winning seasons were in 2008 and 1997. Among the highlights of the team’s turnaround are these accomplishments:

• 2017: Placed third in the North Division, qualified for the playoffs, but lost to Spokane.
• 2019: Placed third in the North Division and won at Portland to advance to the quarter finals, but lost in overtime at Walla Walla.
• 2020: COVID-19
• 2021: The spring season had no playoffs, but the Cardinals finished second in the region.
• 2021: In the fall season, the team finished second and hosted a playoff game and won against Spokane, but lost to Clark.
• The Cardinals made the NWAC Coaches’ Poll at No. 8, moved up to No. 6, and finished at 5.
• The team had six All-Star selections for First Team: Mackenzie Carnell, Amber Elliano, Hannah Esson, Delany Kaysner, Cassie Mullin, and Bri Yamada. In addition, three players received Honorable Mention: Sierrah Esson, Bonnie Martin, and Ashley Thomas.

Skagit Valley College is a member of NWAC, which consists of two-year colleges in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and one college in British Columbia. To stay connected with the Cardinals, visit their Fan Zone, athletics.skagit.edu.