Briefs: Lions’ Kuryllo lauded
Vanguard University junior Shelby Kuryllo has been named Golden State Athletic Conference Player of the Week in softball.
She hit two three-run home runs, drove in seven runs and batted .364 in four games last week.
In a doubleheader against Cal State San Marcos on March 27, she was two for two in the first game, in which the Lions managed just four hits in an 8-0 loss.
In a doubleheader on March 29 against Golden State Athletic Conference rival San Diego Christian, the third baseman had a three-run home run in each game to help the Lions earn a split.
Heading into Saturday’s home doubleheader against Biola, Kuryllo was leading the Lions’ regulars with a .387 batting average and a .595 slugging percentage. Her 29 runs batted in also led the team, while she was tied for the team lead in home runs (four) and extra-base hits (13).
— From staff reports
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‘Eaters’ Spencer lauded
UC Irvine junior Connor Spencer was named Big West Conference Player of the Week in baseball.
Spencer, a first baseman, batted .688 and slugged 1.000 in four games against Cal State Bakersfield and UC Riverside. He had 11 hits including two doubles and his first career home run.
He was four for four, including the homer, in a nonconference win at Cal State Bakersfield on March 25.
He was three for four and drove in the game-winning run in UCI’s Big West-opening win over visiting UC Riverside March 28. He had two hits in the March 29 win against the Highlanders and was two for four in a loss on March 30 to extend his streak of reaching base to 25 games.
Spencer, the 2013 Big West batting champion, entered the week hitting .384 with a team-best 38 hits. Through Monday, he was second on the team with 18 runs batted in.
— From staff reports
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Skaljac joins UCI men’s water polo
Milos Skaljac has been named assistant men’s water polo coach at UC Irvine, Anteaters’ Coach Marc Hunt said.
Skaljac brings a wealth of coaching experience on multiple levels to the UCI program.
He is highly active with the USA Water Polo Olympic Development program, coaching the Southern Pacific Zone 16U team.
Since 2008, Skaljac has been head coach of the Orange County Water Polo Club, which has earned more than 75 trophies and medals in age-group competition throughout the nation.
Skaljac also has been head coach of the European Water Polo Academy, based in Laguna Niguel, since 2008. The academy has developed systems of training for boys and girls in preparing them for competition at the high school, collegiate, U.S. national team and professional levels.
He served as an assistant coach at Concordia University, his alma mater, in 2011-12 when the Eagles won the NAIA national championship. Skaljac was Concordia’s Most Valuable Player in 2009-10 and also earned All-American honors on the Eagles’ national-championship teams in 2009 and 2010.
Skaljac played two seasons at Long Beach City College, which won the state title both years. He was state MVP in 2006.
Skaljac, a member of the Yugoslavian cadet national team from 1999-2005, previously served as an assistant coach at JSerra High.
He is a product of Red Star, one of the premier European clubs in Belgrade, Serbia, that competes in the competitive Adriatic League.
“Milos brings an energy and passion every day to the pool deck,” Hunt said. “He’s tireless in his effort to teach the game and connect with his players.
“Our program will feel an impact immediately with his presence on several fronts. His insightful eye will bolster our recruiting strategy and strengthen our team.”
— From staff reports