Local trio collect invites

Former Newport Harbor High standout Kirby Burnham and UC Irvine starters Aly Squires and Kristin Winkler are among 48 players selected to participate in the U.S women’s national A2 volleyball team program this summer.

Burnham, a 6-foot-3 outside hitter at USC, started seven matches for in 2011, helping the Women of Troy reach the NCAA semifinals, where they were defeated by Illinois to finish 29-5.

Burnham had 72 kills, five aces and nine block assists as a sophomore.

Winkler, a junior libero in 2011, led the Anteaters with 573 digs, while Squires, a 6-1 outside hitter, led UCI with 372 kills. Squires added 17 aces, nine solo blocks and 62 block assists for UCI, which finished 10-19.

Training begins June 26 at Ohio Dominican University in Columbus. Matches will be held from June 30 to July 4 during the USA Volleyball Girls’ Junior National Championships at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.

Before the tournament, the 48 players will be divided into four teams of 12 that wikll play one match per day. Round robin play will be followed by a semifinal and final.

— From staff reports

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CdM eighth-graders win league title

The Corona del Mar eighth-grade boys’ soccer team closed out the season undefeated with a 4-0 win over TeWinkle from Costa Mesa in the league championship game.

After a scoreless first half, Stephen Von Der Ahe headed in the first goal off a corner kick from Spencer Lamoure.

Nick Premer scored the next two, one off a perfect pass from Brenden Heuston. Hueston then closed out the game on a penalty-kick goal.

Stellar defense came from Jason Simaan, Brian Chelf, Reid Rolfes and Michael Mishow while controlling the middle were Jack Denning, Blake Kormos, Koen Ebbinga and George Wells.

Luis Mora, Jason Neiger, Alex Stowell provided TeWinkle’s goalie challenges up top.

Goalie Matt Ctvrtlik made 10 saves during the game and allowed only two goals on the season, while the team scored 23.

Contributing throughout the season, but injured for the championship was Karl Donavan.

The eighth-graders accomplishments bode well for the high school athletic department as they were also undefeated in volleyball and basketball.

— Reader submission

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UCI in tourney

UC Irvine has advanced to the United States Tennis Assn. 2012 Tennis On Campus National Championship to be played in Cary, N.C., Thursday through Saturday.

The tournament features co-ed intramural and sport club tennis teams and is played in a World Team Tennis format.

Six schools will be making their debut at the 13th annual tournament and the 64-team field also includes defending champion UCLA and five-time national champion Texas A&M (won titles in 2002 and 2004-2007).

All participating Tennis On Campus teams have advanced through championship play.

— From staff reports