VU’s Ballestero shines

Vanguard University junior guard Nicole Ballestero was named first-team all-tournament at the NAIA championships completed Tuesday in Frankfort, Ky.

Ballestero, a first-team All-Golden State Athletic Conference perfomer in her first season at Vanguard after transferring from San Diego, averaged 24,7 points, 3.7 assists and three rebounds to help the Lions win twice and advance to the quarterfinals.

Ballestero shot 56.3% from three-point range (nine for 16), 44.6% from the field (29 for 65) and converted seven of nine foul shots (77.8%) to earn the honor.

She led the Lions to wins over Southern Poly of Georgia and William Woods of Missouri, before they fell to top-seeded Freed-Hardeman of Tennessee in the quarterfinals.

— From staff reports