| Nicole Matson |
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2009 (Sophomore):
Despite suffering a leg injury that held her out of action sporadically throughout the season, Nicole remained the Tigers' most dangerous offensive threats when in the lineup, leading the team in RBI (32), home runs (5), doubles (11), slugging percentage (.537), on-base percentage (.425) and stolen bases (7-for-7) while finishing second in runs scored (25). Additionally, Matson posted a .325 batting average and tallied 40 hits in 123 at-bats in 38 starts and 43 games played in which she was a pinch hitter in five contests. Throughout the year, Matson was among the conference's top hitters, finishing the year in the top-10 in batting average, slugging percentage, on-base percentage, RBI and doubles. During the season, Matson was the lone Tiger to earn all-conference player of the week honors as she took home the award on March 2. To win the award, Matson helped propel the Tigers' offense over the weekend at the Cox Invitational in Gainesville, Fla. where she tallied a .444 batting average, posting eight hits in 18 at bats. Of her eight hits, five came in the form of extra base hits as the sophomore shortstop tallied five doubles throughout the weekend to finish with a team best .722 slugging percentage. Additionally, Matson led the way for the Tigers with eight runs scored and seven RBI as Pacific posted 31 runs over the five games.
2008 (Freshman):
After an excellent season, Matson became the second Tiger since 2004 to earn Big West Freshman Player of the Year honors, while also claiming All-Big West Honorable Mention status. She established herself as one of the Tigers' top offensive threats. In her first season of action, Matson co-led the team in home runs, blasting seven home runs and ranking fifth in the conference. Her seven homers tied for eighth all-time in a single season in Pacific program history. In addition to her home runs, Matson finished the season with 31 runs scored and 30 RBI, ranking sixth and 10th in the Big West, respectively. Nicole was able to consistently produce at the plate, leading the team with a nine-game hitting streak from April 19 to May 9. On the field, Matson excelled as one of the Tigers' most impressive defenders, putting aside early struggles to become one of the top defensive shortstops in the conference.
High School:
In her four seasons as a Valencia Viking, Nicole won four Foothill League titles, helping continue a school-best streak of seven straight seasons ending the year at the top of the league. Dominating league play, Matson capped off her high school career by leading the Vikings to their first ever California State Championship as well as their first ever National Championship. The No. 1 ranked team in the country in 2007, Matson and the Vikings went 32-1 en route to the title. On the field, Nicole excelled at the plate, batting .412 (second on the team) with 26 RBI, seven doubles, four triples and a team-high four homeruns. In addition, Matson scored a team-best 24 runs and swiped five bases on the year. For her play, Nicole was named Second Team All-State by CalHiSports.com and earned First Team All-CIF, All-Santa Clarita Valley (SCV) and all-league honors. As a junior, Matson garnered First Team All-CIF, All-SVC and all-league honors and was named the Most Valuable Offensive Player in the league after batting .421 with 19 RBI, five homeruns and 10 stolen bases as the Vikings finished the season 27-5. Off the field, Nicole was named to the school's honor roll in each of her final two year at Valencia.
Personal:
Nicole Matson was born in Northridge, Calif. She is the daughter of Karen and Wes Matson. Nicole has one brother, Devin. In her third year at Pacific, Nicole is an education major.
