Lions

COSTA MESA - With another game fewer than 24 hours away, the Vanguard University men's basketball coaching staff could take little time to mull over Friday's 76-62 loss to streaking Warner Pacific in the opener of its Thanksgiving tournament. But while it wouldn't require much time or effort to identify the root of the Lions' struggles against the Portland-based Knights, any discussion about the contest would also be sure to include some positives. Vanguard starting forwards Ennis Whatley Jr. and Swing Chuang were both sidelined by injuries, while junior scoring leader Preston Wynne's performance was virtually eradicated due to a bout with the flu. However, Vanguard Coach Rhett Soliday was eager to praise the spark provided by reserve guards Noah Larkins and Myles Smith.

In many ways, their journey began at the destination. Now, four years later, Vanguard University seniors Rachel Rucireta, Amanda Couch, Lauren Evans and Charlotte Wisniewski will once again fly just more than 2,000 miles and play as many as four games in an attempt to retrieve their destiny. The four friends, teammates and roommates since arriving at the Costa Mesa Christian school as women's soccer recruits, have, in many ways come full circle as they prepare to compete in the round of 16 at the NAIA Championships in Orange Beach, Ala. They have also come of age, both on the field and off, forming roughly one-third of the lineup for the winningest team in the program's history.

Vanguard University sophomores Jessica Neves and Kelly Heenan have been named All-Golden State Athletic Conference in women's volleyball. Neves, a 6-foot-2 opposite and setter, led the Lions with 305 kills, while adding 284 assists to help the Lions finish 17-15 and reach the NAIA Tournament. Heenan, a transfer from UC Santa Barbara and a Newport Harbor High product, had a team-best 562 digs from her libero position. Heenan also shared the team lead with 33 aces. Brooke Marino of Concordia was the Player of the Year and Robert Blanken of The Master's was named Coach of the Year.

COSTA MESA - The Vanguard University women's soccer team was already two goals ahead on its way to a 3-0 triumph Saturday when the Lions got a chance to show what they are all about this season. Lions' junior forward Kayla Arenas was running onto a through ball that was rolling toward Embry-Riddle Aeronautical goalkeeper Brenna Quinn, who had charged off her line to try to thwart one of many Vanguard scoring threats. Though it was obvious that Quinn would arrive at the ball well before Arenas, Vanguard Coach Randy Dodge yelled for Arenas to "keep going!"

The Vanguard University women's soccer team, ranked No. 2 in the NAIA and coming off regular-season and tournament championships in the Golden State Athletic Conference, play host to Embry Riddle of Arizona in the opening round of the 32-team NAIA Tournament on Saturday at 1 p.m. The Lions (16-2) are on a 12-game winning streak during which they have outscored opponents, 39-2. Vanguard, the No. 3 national seed, needs a win to advance to the 16-team draw that will compete in Orange Beach, Ala. beginning Nov. 26. Coach Randy Dodge's Lions, led by junior transfer Jordan Davidson, who has 16 goals and nine assists, defeated Embry Riddle, 2-0, in their season opener on Sept.

COSTA MESA - While the Vanguard University women's soccer team continues to add to the trophy case, Lions Coach Randy Dodge said it's the pillow case that should be foremost on his players' minds. With a landmark season swinging into its stretch run, including a 2-1 victory over visiting Biola in the Golden State Athletic Conference Tournament title game Friday to propel the No. 4-ranked Lions into the 32-team NAIA Tournament, Dodge hopes his players continue to consistently justify their peace of mind before nodding off each night.

COSTA MESA - In a truly convincing bit of coincidence Thursday night, Vanguard University junior transfer Nicole Ballestero proved that San Diego's loss was, well, a loss for San Diego. Ballestero, who played the last two seasons at the University of San Diego, scored a collegiate high 29 points to help the Lions thump San Diego-based Point Loma Nazarene, 82-51, in the nonconference women's basketball season opener for both at the Pit. Ballestero, who scored 58 points last season in 26 reserve appearances, made 12 of her first 15 field-goal attempts for her most productive offensive performance since she was a four-time All-CIF Southern Section performer at Villa Park High.

COSTA MESA - The big-wave surf spot Mavericks is gaining greater fame these days as the subject of a major motion picture. But just more than 400 miles south of the cascading break, the Vanguard University women's soccer team continues to regularly drop into a forceful surge of its own. "I'm a firm believer that we're riding a wave right now and I don't see it crashing," Vanguard Coach Randy Dodge said after his team extended its winning streak to...

MEN'S SOCCER Hope International 1, Vanguard 0 COSTA MESA - The No. 4-seeded Lions were upset by No. 5 Hope in the first round of the Golden State Athletic Conference Tournament Wednesday. The Royals (11-7-1) scored in the 58th minute. Goalie Luca Licciardi made six saves for Vanguard (7-9-3). * UC Riverside 4, UC Irvine 3 (OT) IRVINE - Christopher Santana had one goal and two assists for the Anteaters in the Big West Conference match Wednesday.

WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL Concordia def. Vanguard IRVINE - The Eagles, ranked No. 1 in the NAIA, remained undefeated with a 25-15, 25-19, 25-13 victory in Golden State Athletic Conference action Tuesday night. Concordia, led by Reanna Schelhaas' 11 kills, improved to 27-0, 11-0 in conference. The Lions, ranked No. 21, dropped to 15-13, 5-6 after losing their fourth straight match. Jessica Neves and Charlotte Heerlyn had five kills each to lead Vanguard. Kelly Heenan, a Newport Harbor High product had a match-high 22 digs for the Lions.