Local roundup: Otey among top 30 for NCAA Woman of the Year

New London - Coast Guard Academy graduate Sarah Jane Otey, who helped lead the Bears' crew team to a spot in the NCAA tournament last season, was named Wednesday as one of the top 30 honorees for the NCAA Woman of the Year award.

Otey, who was the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference representative for the award, landed among the top 30 from a group of nearly 430 total nominees. The three-time NEMWAC All-Conference rower was one of the top 10 finalists in Division III.

In September, nine finalists, three from each division, will be named, with the NCAA Woman of the Year winner announced during an awards ceremony in Indianapolis on Oct. 14.

Otey is an accomplished rower and swimmer, leading the Bears to two NCAA appearances in rowing and qualifying for the NCAA swimming and diving championship five times. She is an outstanding student, carrying a 3.97 GPA in marine and environmental science, as well as taking on a number of leadership and service roles during her time at the academy.

Tri-City outhits Connecticut

• The Tri-City ValleyCats scored eight runs on 16 hits to beat the Connecticut Tigers 8-4 in the opener of a two-game series at Dodd Stadium.

Hua-Wei Lo (2-4), Eric Heckaman and Alex Phillips all pitched three innings for the Tigers. (30-38).

The Tigers scored two runs in the first inning against Tri-City lefty Brian Holmes (7-2). Carlos De Los Santos walked and stole second base. He scored on a single by Jake Stewart, who stole second base and moved to third base on a throwing error. De Los Santos scored on a sacrifice fly by Juaner Aguasvivas for a 2-0 lead.

Discordia resigns

• St. Bernard/Norwich Free Academy/Bacon Academy hockey coach Chris Discordia resigned to accept an assistant principal's job in East Hampton.

St. Bernard finished 12-10 last season with a berth in the Division III state tournament semifinals.

"We thank coach Discorida for his hard work and dedication over the past five seasons. Last year's run to the state semifinals shows the effect that coach had on the program, taking a team throughout the long grueling hockey season to the cusp of a championship," St. Bernard athletic director Brendan Case said in an email.

"We wish Chris the best of luck in the future and will begin a search for a new coach immediately."

Kazlas named Coast Guard assistant

• Peter Kazlas has been named an assistant volleyball coach at the Coast Guard Academy.

Prior to the academy, Kazlas worked as an assistant women's volleyball coach for six months after the 2011 season at Quinnipiac University.

Kazlas was a four-year member of the University of New Haven men's volleyball program, graduating in 2010, serving as team captain his senior season.