Esperanza’s De Soto to Play Volleyball for Cal Poly SLO

Kari De Soto, who played middle blocker on Esperanza’s ninth-ranked girls’ volleyball team, has accepted a scholarship to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Coach Kurt Kersten said Wednesday.

The 6-3 senior, who earned second-team All-Sunset League honors, averaged five blocks per game. She helped the Aztecs, who finished second in league, to the Southern Section Division I playoffs.

De Soto is the third Esperanza player to receive a Division I college scholarship. Kersten said junior Amy Nihipali has orally committed to UCLA, and senior Heather Brown will attend UC Santa Barbara.

*

Randy Shepard of Capistrano Valley has signed a letter of intent to play basketball at Southern Utah, Cougar Coach Mark Thornton said.

Shepard, a 6-foot-3 guard, averaged 11.1 points and 5.6 assists last season. He is a two-year letterman and was selected the team’s most valuable player in 1994-95.

*

Deborah Mink of Marina has signed a letter of intent to compete in gymnastics at UCLA, the university’s sports information office announced.

Mink, who competes for SCATS in Huntington Beach, was the 1995 U.S. Classic Elite national champion and helped the U.S. team finish third in the Presidents Cup in Guatemala City. She finished fifth in the all-around at the 1995 National Gym Festival.

*

Michelle Sarkees of Santa Margarita has orally committed to attend San Jose State next year on a women’s volleyball scholarship. Sarkees, a setter, also considered Santa Clara and UNLV.