Loyola Women Spikers Play First Game in the New WCAC Conference

Loyola Marymount University begins play in the new women’s division of the West Coast Athletic Conference with two home volleyball matches this weekend. Coach Nancy Fortner’s Lions (6-5) host the University of San Francisco at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, then play Santa Clara at 2 p.m. Sunday. The Lions also play at Pepperdine at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. Latest statistics from the Collegiate Volleyball Coaches Assn. list Andrea Fort seventh in the nation in aces and Maryann Dunn, Amanda Amberson and Leslie Wohlford 4th, 8th and 13th in digs.

The WCAC is inaugurating a full women’s slate of sports on the Division I level this season.

Loyola Marymount University basketball Coach Paul Westhead has named Alden Ulrich as an assistant. Ulrich, 29, is a former coach, teacher and basketball administrator in Australia. He played at Luther College in Iowa, graduating in 1978, and played in Australia’s professional league before becoming director of coaching for the Tasmanian Basketball Assn. from 1981 to 1984. Ulrich spent the last year as an account executive for the Lakers. He joins Jay Hillock and Judas Prada to complete Westhead’s staff.