Crow Decides He Will Return to Sockers

Kevin Crow made it official Thursday: He will be back for his ninth season with the Sockers.

Crow had been considering retirement. “People kept asking, ‘If you were a betting man, which way would you bet?’ ” Crow said. “And I would have bet that I wouldn’t be back next year.”

Crow, winner of seven championships with the Sockers, gave a reason for his change of heart.

“In some ways, I still feel like there’s some unfinished business to do,” he said. “I’ve still got a little more I would like to do on the field.

“I think you can always get better. I think you can always become a more well-rounded player. I think the challenge of losing certain individuals, helping the coach, and putting the pieces together again to win another championship--that’s always the goal.”

This year the challenge will be stiffer than ever. Already gone are several offensive threats: midfielder Brian Quinn and forwards Rod Castro and Paul Wright. Forward Branko Segota also is expected to leave, either by free agency or trade.

“So I’ve volunteered my services up front,” Crow joked. “I’m more than willing to go up front and post up like Juli Veee used to.”

The Sockers also announced the hiring of former player Vidal Fernandez as an account executive. Fernandez, who played here from 1981 to 1984 before blowing out a knee, will focus on sales, marketing and promotions within the Hispanic community.

“One of the biggest assets this club has is our ex-players,” said Oscar Ancira, managing general partner. “And we’re going to incorporate some of those athletes into our marketing and promotional efforts this season.”

HOLIDAY BOWL

Officials announced Thursday that the 1991 Thirfty Car Rental Holiday Bowl has sold out their allotment of 40,000 tickets for this area, the earliest they have done so in the game’s 14-year history. The previous record was Sept. 18, set in 1990. The remaining 20,000 tickets will be held for the participating teams by NCAA regulations.

The 1991 Holiday Bowl will have a 5 p.m. kickoff Dec. 30 at San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium.

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL

Defending NCAA Division III champion UC San Diego triumphed in its 1991 opener against Menlo College, 15-8, 15-7, 14-16, 15-12. Liz Vesanovic had 10 kills and Dana Simone had nine for the Tritons (1-0), who travel to play UC Santa Cruz today.

Jennifer Miller had 13 kills, three blocks and two service aces to lead San Diego State to a 15-11, 4-15, 15-11, 15-10 victory over visiting Fresno State before 656 at Peterson Gym. Miller, Gracie Schutt (12 kills) and Carolyn Kaspar (10) combined for 35 of the Aztecs’ 62 kills. SDSU improved to 3-2 while FSU dropped to 4-1.