Three More Midland College Student-Athletes Ink with Universities

By Forrest AllenMC Athletic Director

Three more Midland College sophomores have inked national letters of intent to continue their careers at four-year Universities. Danesa Long (Long Beach, CA) and Ornela Bacchini (Buenos Aires, Argentina) of Lady Chap basketball and Sarah Sawyer (Odessa, TX) Lady Chap Volleyball.

Long and Sawyer have signed with NCAA Division I Universities, San Diego State University and Tennessee State University respectively while Bacchini will transfer to Lewis-Clark State College (ID) of the NAIA.

Danesha Long, SO
Long Beach, CA
5'9" Guard
Next: San Diego State University (NCAA Division I, Mountain West Conference)

As a two-year starter for Coach Ron Jones and the Lady Chaps, Long was a two-time All-WJCAC (MVP in 2011) and NJCAA All-Region V selection as well as being named to the 2010-11 NJCAA All-America team as an Honorable Mention selection. In her two seasons at Midland College Long averaged 11.4 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 62 games. During her time at MC, Long helped guide the Lady Chaps to a combined 50-14 including two post season appearances.

"Danesha is what I call a zero maintenance player," Midland College head coach Ron Jones said. "She comes to work every day and has great passion for the sport. Its rare that your best player works the hardest. Its very refreshing. Danesha is a high energy, very athletic player. She does everything well and is a fantastic teammate. San Diego State got a good one in Danesha."

Sarah Sawyer, SO
Odessa, TX
6'2" Middle Blocker
Next: Tennessee State University (NCAA Division I, Ohio Valley Conference)

Sarah Sawyer is a graduate of Odessa High School and was two-year starter for the Lady Chap volleyball team. In her two seasons Sawyer played in a total of 221 games (73 matches) with the Lady Chaps going 54-19 overall and 17-3 in the WJCAC. Sawyer averaged 1.67 kills and .860 blocks per contest with a .300 attack percentage.

In 2010 Sawyer helped led the team to a 36-6 record including the WJCAC Co-Championship, the NJCAA Region V-West Title and an appearance in the 2010 NJCAA Division I Volleyball Championship where they posted a 2-2 record. As a sophomore Sawyer and the Lady Chaps went 18-13, repeated as the WJCAC Champs and advanced to the Region V-West finals.

"Sarah brought leadership and enthusiasm on the court and she was one of our "go-to" kids. I think at Tennessee State they're going to look for her to be a "go-to" starting middle (blocker). She has a lot of work to do, but she's going to do well and the coach is excited about her and Sarah is excited to be at a new place, away from home and seems eager to get started", said Midland College head coach Tammie Jimenez. "Sarah is a great person and an exceptional student.

Jimenez also feels that Sarah will be successful as a student-athlete, but also in her academic goals. "She's (Sawyer) is majoring in pre-veterinary medicine/animal science and has her work cut out for her as far as academics go, but that's never going to be her struggle because she's such a great student."

Ornela Bacchini, SO
Buenos Aires, Argentina
6'2" Post
Next: Lewis-Clark State College (NAIA, Frontier Conference)

Midland College post player Ornela Bacchini played in 60 games over her two year Midland College career. She averaged 5.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game for the Lady Chaps. Although not a highly decorated player for the Lady Chaps, her play was an integral component in the team's overall success over the past two years.

In her two years at MC the team went 50-14 including an appearance in the 2011 and 2012 NJCAA Region V Basketball Tournaments. The team advanced to the Region V finals in 2011.