BASKETBALL

Tom Buck, who coached Erik Meek for four years at San Pasqual High School and won a San Diego Section title in 1990-91, stepped down as coach of the program after five years to pursue his master’s degree in history and spend time with his family.

Buck compiled a 68-61 record, won one Avocado League title and the section championship. With Meek attending NCAA champion Duke, San Pasqual went 11-16, 7-7 last season.

Assistant coach Ron Guiles will direct the Eagles over the summer while a replacement is found.

“I felt like if I was ever going to get my master’s degree, which makes a couple thousand dollars difference (in salary), I better do it now,” Buck said. “I see (the departure) now as a timeout instead of walking away. But for my family, I really need to go back to school and get my master’s taken care of.”

MEN’S VOLLEYBALL

The United States improved its World League record to 9-0 with an 11-15, 15-7, 16-14, 15-6 victory over China in Shanghai. Bryan Ivie had 21 kills and five blocks, and Bob Ctvrtlik had 20 kills and four blocks for the Americans. Opposite hitter Brent Hilliard had a match-high 25 kills.

Three starters, Steve Timmons, Doug Partie and Jeff Stork, did not make the trip for the United States, which plays China once more this weekend before taking on the second-place Commonwealth of Independent States next weekend.

SIGNINGS

University of San Diego announced the signing of three athletes to national letters of intent to play for the men’s soccer team next year.

Signing were Guillermo Jara, a forward/midfielder from Livermore High who become’s USD’s first Parade Magazine All-American signee; Carlos Jose Gonzales, a midfielder from Mountain View High in Mesa, Ariz., who was named to the Arizona Interscholastic Assn., All-State Team his junior and senior seasons; and Matthew Gerlach, a forward-midfielder from Burnsville, Minn., who was a Parade Sectional All-American.

Jonathan Rost from Jefferson City, Mo., signed a letter of intent to play golf next year at USD. Rost, a one-handicap player, attended Helias High, averaged 37.2 strokes per nine holes and finished 11th in the state tournament.

BOWLING

San Diego’s Dennis Horan Jr., who had led the standings for the first 41 games, is the No. 2 seed for today’s stepladder finals at the Professional Bowlers Assn. $125,000 Active West Open in Riverside (Ch. 10, 2 p.m.). Dave Ferraro beat Horan, 240-177 to earn the top seed.