Briefs: Ross reaches semis

KRISTIANSAND, Norway — On the same day that the Assn. of Volleyball Professionals Tour shut down, its top women’s team advanced to the semifinals at the Federation International de Volleyball Otera Open.

Newport Harbor High alumna April Ross and her partner Jen Kessy advanced Friday, despite losing their first match of the day.

Fifth-seeded Ross and Kessy lost to top-seeded Juliana and Larisa of Brazil, 21-19, 21-17, but benefited from a forfeit win over a German team in the consolation round.

Costa Mesa resident Ross and Kessy will face the third-seeded team from China, Chen Xue and Xi Zhang, in the semifinals.

Also Friday, No. 4 seeds Estancia High grad Matt Fuerbringer and partner Nick Lucena fell to the consolation bracket of the men’s tournament after losing to Brazil’s fifth-seeded duo of Pedro Salgado and Harley Marques, 21-19, 21-17.

Fuerbringer and Lucena play No. 15 Bo Soderberg and Anders Lund Hoyer of Denmark in the consolation bracket.

Men’s semifinals and medal matches are scheduled for Sunday.

— From staff reports

BMW Golf Tournament to help UCI athletics

A few spots remain open for the BMW Golf Tournament benefiting UC Irvine Athletics on Wednesdayat Pelican Hill Golf Club in Newport Beach.

Registration is at 9 a.m. with a shotgun start at 11 a.m.

A dinner reception begins at 4 p.m. with UCI coaches, student-athletes and staff members on hand throughout the day to meet the participants.

Participants can call (949) 824-5550 for more information or register online at https://www.irvinebmw.net/resources/golftournament/.

Irvine BMW invites participants to join them for a day of food, fun and prizes as the Orange County BMW Dealership hosts its annual golf tournament.

The charity event will benefit the UCI Anteater Athletic Fund, which provides scholarship, sports medicine, strength and conditioning and academic support to the 450 student-athletes at UCI.

— From staff reports

UCI team receives academic honor

Coach Vince O’Boyle’s UC Irvine women’s track and field squad has received 2010 Division I All-Academic Team recognition by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Assn.

For a team to be considered for the USTFCCCA All-Academic Team award, the squad needed to have a team cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 or better.

Fourteen members of the 2009-10 UCI team were Big West Conference Scholar-Athletes.

— From staff reports