By MARTY JAMES martyjames.sports@gmail.com

The goal for the Napa Valley College men's golf team going into Monday's Big 8 Conference tournament at Oakdale Golf and Country Club, in Stanislaus County, was to break 390.

"We were six strokes away from doing that," said coach Bob Freschi.

The Storm didn't hit their goal, but they won the conference's second tournament of the season, shooting a 395-team score, in a field of four teams from the North division.

"Great job by the players," said Freschi.

Markus Nanpei was the individual low medalist, shooting a 4-over-par 76, to lead Napa Valley. It rained early in the day and it was breezy later in the day.

The par-72 course has greens that are very challenging.

"It's a tough course and it plays long. There's some tough greens that are fast," said Freschi. "Tough conditions."

Jaxen Perryman shot a 5-over-par 77 and Lawrence Pepito had a 6-over-par 78 for Napa Valley.

"Markus played really well. Jaxen Perriman played really well," said Freschi.

Nanpei had his driver working, but said he was struggling with short-iron shots, from 100-yards out.

"I was hitting the ball really good off the tee. It's probably the best I've hit it in a while," he said. "But I just couldn't get it together when it came to short wedge shots."

Also, playing for the Storm was Nick DeBellis and Tyler Momono, each with 82s, and Matthew Commander, who had an 87.

"What we strive to do is win every tournament we play in. That's our goal," said Freschi.

"I told the guys on the way home (Monday), that, 'Hey, you guys win another one, that's considered a win streak. So let's do it.' "

Napa Valley is the host team for the Big 8 Conference's third tournament of the season, today at Silverado Resort and Spa's North Course, starting at 12:20 p.m. The field consists of four teams and 24 players.

"Our next two matches are here at Silverado and then at Chardonnay (Golf Club & Vineyards, in American Canyon), so we have a nice opportunity to start to separate ourselves from the pack. But it's going to be a grind. You've got to earn it and you've got to play good golf," said Freschi.

"We definitely need to work on some things, so we'll be prepared as the season gets going."

NVC's Brayden Dixon and Anthony Guiomar each played as individuals in the tournament.

Dixon shot an 83 and Guiomar had an 88.

Sierra College-Rocklin finished second with a 403-team score.

San Joaquin Delta College-Stockton was third with a 404-team score.

Modesto Junior College was fourth with a 411-team score.

* Marty James is a freelance writer who makes his home in Napa. He retired on June 4, 2019 after spending 40 years as a sports writer, sports editor and executive sports editor for the Napa Valley Register, a daily newspaper in Napa County. He is a 1979 graduate of Sacramento State and a member of the California Golf Writers & Broadcasters Association. He was inducted into the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Hall of Fame in 2016, the Vintage High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2019, and the Napa High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2022.