Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – The Arcata Tigers are this week’s Humboldt Sports Team of the Week.

By Ray Hamill — A golfer that is finding her form at an opportune time, a football player who has been a catalyst for his team all fall, and a volleyball team that has responded in dynamic fashion in recent weeks all feature in our weekly awards this week.

On Wednesday, Del Norte’s Bria Larson posted the low score of the day in H-DNL girls golf for the second straight week and took over the lead in the race for this is year’s championship.

Larson carded a career-best 91 to lead the field by three strokes in the fifth round of league action at Beau Pre Golf Course in McKinleyville.

After struggling to contend in the opening two rounds of league play, the Del Norte standout has been the most impressive golfer in the H-DNL since then, placing second in round three and taking back-to-back victories.

And that earns her the nod for one of our two athletes of the week.

Another senior, Tyler Hinrichs of St. Bernards, also had a good week and has been one of the most consistently impressive football players in the H-DNL so far this fall.

The multi-sport standout is contributing in all facets of the game, showcasing his talents on special teams — where he is one of the most dangerous high school kickers in all of California — defense and offense.

Hinrichs was front and center once again in a pivotal matchup against the Eureka Loggers on Saturday, scoring three touchdowns, two on offense and one on defense, as well as kicking five PATs and running in for a two-point conversion.

And rounding out weekly awards, the Arcata High volleyball team is our team of the week after another big performance in a top-of-the-standings showdown against Eureka on Tuesday night.

Playing in front of a packed home gymnasium and electric atmosphere, the Arcata girls pulled out a thrilling five-sets win over Eureka to move into a tie atop the standings with the Loggers with just three games remaining each.

The Tigers won the game 24-26, 25-19, 21-25, 25-22, 15-7 to put themselves in excellent position to win a second straight conference title.

Submitted photo

ATHLETES OF THE WEEK

Bria Larson

Del Norte Golf, Senior

In what has been a tight race for the league championship thus far, Larson is quickly establishing herself as the golfer to beat in league play and now sits atop the H-DNL standings with just two rounds remaining.

With her big win on Wednesday, Larson moved eight strokes clear in the league standings.

Her impressive play, along with that of her teammate Jaylee Keeling, also has the Warriors in control of the race for the team championship, which would be the program’s first ever in the sport.

For more on her big week, see Del Norte’s Larson takes control after another big day at Beau Pre …

Tyler Hinrichs

St. Bernard’s Football, Senior

Hinrichs has been described as the Crusaders’ Swiss Army Knife because of the multiple ways he contributes to his team.

His big performance on Saturday included TD receptions of five and 25 yards, as well as a 60-yard pick six that gave his team a 36-0 lead shortly before halftime.

The Crusaders would win the game 43-6.

“He’s an amazing team captain,” St. Bernard’s head coach Matt Tomlin said after the game. “That was an MVP performance today. He studies film and knows every play the other team is going to play on offense.”

For more on his big performance, see Crusaders overwhelm the Loggers, remain perfect on the season …

TEAM OF THE WEEK 

Arcata Volleyball

If anyone doubted them after a conference-opening loss at Eureka, the Arcata players have proved them wrong since then after posting four straight wins in conference play to move into a tie atop the Big 5 standings.

Head coach Laurie Griffith continues to do an outstanding job with this program, and with momentum firmly in their favor they will be tough to stop down the stretch.

Several players have stood out this fall on a deep and talented roster, including senior Nora Brumbaugh, who is playing at an MVP level and was a recent Humboldt Sports Athlete of the Week.

Harper Appy, Pearl Smith and Kyla Kinyon, among many others, have all also played key roles in the charge for second consecutive league title.

For more on the team’s big week, see Tigers top Loggers in five, move into tie for B5 conference lead …