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Sagapolu ready to play
• CHS graduate looking forward to resuming her softball career at San Jose State
Rayohna Sagapolu
Ceres High School grad Rayohna Sagapolu had her junior season with the San Jose State softball program cut short in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Sagapolu will resume her athletic career with the Spartans in March.

Rayohna Sagapolu’s daily routine has changed significantly without softball in her life. 

The Ceres High School grad had her junior season cut short at San Jose State this past spring due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.

She’s currently living at home in Ceres.

She dedicates time to distance learning and working on her craft.

“The main thing I’ve been doing is spending time with my family,” she said. “It’s been pretty relaxing. I go back to school in 14 days.”

Sagapolu will resume her softball career with the Spartans in 2021 with coronavirus safety measure in place.

“Our first game will be in March if everything goes as planned,” said Sagapolu, who was granted an extra year of eligibility along with all NCAA Division-I spring athletes who had their seasons canceled because of COVID-19. “I’ve been working out and preparing for the upcoming season. I’ve been going to the gym daily. Before that, I’d lift weights at home and run around Smyrna Park. We have team meetings every Friday. The coach tells us other obstacles that could come up because of COVID and what to work on as a team.”

 “I’m looking forward to playing again,” she added. “I’m going to be used more as a utility player. The coach wants me to pitch. I haven’t pitched since high school. I’m kind of excited.”

 Sagapolou has improved each season at San Jose State.

She batted a career-best .354 with five doubles, 12 RBIs and 15 runs for the 2020 Spartans, who posted a 21-5 overall record.

Sagapolu committed just one error on defense. 

Sagapolu hit .276 on the season with two triples, six doubles, 16 RBIs, 29 runs and 26 walks in 50 games for the Mountain West Conference runner-up Spartans in 2019 (37-16, 17-7).

She struggled as a freshman, batting .183 with three doubles, five RBIs and eight runs in 39 games.

“I’ve become a stronger hitter and fielder since I started college,” Sagapolu said. 

Sagapolu is majoring in Justice Studies at San Jose State.

She wants to become a corrections officer.

 “Your day is packed with meetings, school and sports,” Sagapolu said while talking about life as a student-athlete at the college level. “It’s something you look forward to because a lot of people don’t get this opportunity. It’s challenging. If you have dedication for your schooling and your sport, you’ll get through it.”

Sagapolu starred on Ceres High’s varsity softball team for four seasons.

She was voted Most Valuable Player of the Western Athletic Conference during her senior year.

She earned first-team all-WAC honors as a junior, sophomore and freshman.

Sagapolu posted a career batting average of .429 with 13 homers, four triples, 34 doubles, 112 RBIs and 107 runs.

She compiled a 21-10 record with 197 strikeouts and two no-hitters at pitcher.

Sagapolu helped lead the Bulldogs to 86 victories, one Sac-Joaquin Section championship and four WAC titles.

Rayohna Sagapolu at bat
Former Bulldog Rayohna Sagapolu batted a career-best .345 from the plate with five doubles, 12 RBIs and 15 runs during the San Jose State softball team’s COVID-19 shortened season this past spring.