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Sierra celebrates four college commits
Sierra signings
Hannah Hint (soccer, Dakota State), Taylor Zalunardo (flag football, Simpson), Alex Sanchez (soccer, UC Merced) and Owen Altadonna (volleyball, Menlo College) were recognized by Sierra High on Monday for their commitments to four-year universities. - photo by MICHAEL JOHNSON

Sierra High School hosted its first-annual College signing night Tuesday where it honored four scholar athletes who will be continuing their athletic careers at the collegiate level next year. Taylor Zalunardo signed to play flag football at Simpson University in Redding. Alex Sanchez announced his commitment to play soccer at UC Merced. Hannah Hint signed with Dakota State University in Madison, South Dakota. Lastly, boys volleyball standout Owen Altadonna signed to play at the next level at Menlo College in Atherton. Zalunardo led the 2024 Timberwolves to a Flag Football VOL championship while receiving First Team All-Defense honors after recording 172 total tackles, good for ninth in the entire nation.

“I am really excited to be able to continue my career playing sports at the college level,” Zalunardo said. “This feels like a dream come true something I’ve dreamed about since I was really little – I just cant wait to get there and start this new chapter.”

Sanchez, a two year starter at Sierra for coach Joe Pires, led the Timberwolves to an at-large birth in the Division III Sac-Joaquin Section Playoffs all while maintaining a 3.9 overall GPA.

“This is a surreal moment that I’ve been working towards my entire life,” Sanchez said. “It feels really good to have my family here – everything I do is for them and I can thank them enough for the love and support they have shown me throughout this journey.”

Hint leaves Sierra after helping the Timberwolves win a VOL Championship while being recognized with First Team All-VOL honors as a Defender.

“I am the most looking forward to the new experiences that will come with being at school so far away,” Hint said. “The program at Dakota State is just getting going and I couldn’t be more excited to be a part of building the program with my new teammates and coaches.”

Altadonna hosted an official signing event last week at his club the Ripon Rage, but was honored Monday by his head coach at Sierra Danielle Deerinck. Altadonna earned all-league honors in the VOL in 2023 and 2024, and was named the 2024 VOL Most Outstanding Player as a Junior.

“When I first started playing volleyball I was extremely uncoordinated,” Altadonna said. “I have had a great group of coaches both here at Sierra and at my club team that have made me into the player I am today. I can’t thank them enough for helping me make my dream of playing collegiately a reality.”