Briefs

Driven by the nationwide popularity of the AVP Crocs Tour, the AVP in partnership with AEG announced the first-ever indoor beach volleyball national tour with the AVP Hot Winter Nights tour. Kicking off Jan. 10, 2008 and running through Feb. 23, the AVP Hot Winter Nights tour will bring together some of the most popular and talented players on the AVP Crocs tour to venues nationwide.

Current athletes on the AVP Crocs Tour including Misty May-Treanor, April Ross, Jake Gibb and Mike Lambert among others, will visit arenas in 19 likely snowbound cities in the Midwest and Northeast United States. For more information visit www.avp.com.

TENNIS COACH NEEDED

Orange Coast College is searching for a men’s tennis coach for the 2008 season, accorinding to the school’s website.

Jeff Thomsen, who coached OCC’s squad for the 2007 campaign, has accepted a full-time coaching position at the University of Miami. OCC is looking to hire a part-time replacement. Last season, OCC’s team finished third in the final Orange Empire Conference standings. Persons interested in applying for the position should contact OCC athletic director, Barbara Bond, at (714) 432-5766, or bbond@occ.cccd.edu.

UCI RANKED 12TH

The UC Irvine women’s sailing team was tabbed 12th in the Sailing World pre-season rankings.

The women’s team finished sixth at the 2007 Intercollegiate Sailing Association (ICSA) National Championship and return All-Pacific Coast Collegiate Sailing Conference skipper Ashley Simpson. Veterans Megan Pluth, Caitlin Robinson, Emma Nilsson and Danielle Richards also return for the Anteaters.

OC SESSIONS COMING

The Orange County Volleyball Club will hold its fall sessions starting Sept. 9 and concluding on Dec. 2.

The first session, for girls ages 7-11, will be Sundays from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at Corona del Mar High.

The second session is for girls in grades 6-8, and will be Sundays from 3 to 5 p.m., also at CdM.

For returning OCVBC players and invitees, the third session will be Sundays from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at CdM. This is the start of the club volleyball season, and players may be promoted from the second session based on their participation, attitude and ability.

The cost for the first session is $190, and the cost is $275 for the second and third sessions.

Athletes may register online at ocvbc.com. For information, call the Orange County Volleyball Club office at (949) 574-9210 or e-mail info@ocvbc.com.

— From staff reports