THE COMMUNITY COLLEGES : WOMEN’S ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Heather Flaherty

College: Golden West

Sport: Volleyball

Position: Middle Blocker

Class: Sophomore

Flaherty was a standout volleyball player as a sophomore at Corona del Mar High School, then decided to concentrate on basketball the next two years.

But as Golden West volleyball Coach Albert Gasparian says, “We corrected that mistake.”

Flaherty gave up basketball and returned to volleyball last fall and was an All-Orange Empire Conference performer, helping the Rustlers win the State title. This season, Flaherty anchors the Rustlers’ defense and is an important part of the offense.

She had seven kills Wednesday in a sweep of Riverside, then was 13 of 13 on kill attempts as the Rustlers swept Rancho Santiago Friday.

Another top performer:

Krishawn Mangan, who scored twice as Cypress beat Irvine Valley, 4-1, in an Orange Empire Conference soccer match.