SCOPE / MITCH POLIN : Lions in Kansas City for Volleyball Tournament

After a second-place finish behind Santa Clara in the West Coast Conference, the Loyola Marymount women’s volleyball team will compete in the National Invitation Volleyball Championships today through Sunday at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City.

It is the second time in three seasons that the Lions have been invited to the tournament. Loyola is 19-12 overall and was 10-4 in the WCC.

The Lions will open pool play in the 20-team tournament against Northern Illinois (29-5) at 11:30 a.m. (CST) today. They will also have matches in pool play against Southwest Missouri State (22-9) at 4:30 p.m. today, Murray State (22-9) at 9 a.m. Saturday and George Washington (27-7) at 3:30 p.m. Saturday.

Pool winners meet in the semifinals at 10 a.m. Sunday and the championship is at 1 p.m. Sunday.

In their most recent appearance in the tournament, the Lions finished fifth with a 3-1 record in 1990.

The Lions have been led by sophomore setter Robin Ortgiesen and senior middle blocker Dana Bragado, who were both named to the All-West Coast Conference first team. Ortgiesen leads the nation in assists with an average of 14.10 a game; Bragado led the conference with a .379 hitting percentage.

The El Camino women’s volleyball team will compete in the state championship tournament today and Saturday at Sacramento City College.

The Warriors, 12-5, earned a spot in the eight-team, double-elimination tournament by defeating San Diego Mesa, 17-15, 5-15, 15-11 and 15-6, in Tuesday’s regional final at El Camino.

The Warriors will open state tournament play at 6 p.m. against Foothill, Northern California’s second-seeded team.

El Camino is led by freshman middle blocker Joanne Robertson, a former Carson High standout who earned all-state honors and was also named to the All-South Coast Conference first team.

Outside hitter Debbie Cota and setter Nicole Cordova also made the All-SCC first team.

Pepperdine Coach Andy Lopez, who guided the Waves to the NCAA baseball title last season, will speak at the annual South Bay Baseball Camp for ages 6 to 17 from Dec. 19 to 22 at Bishop Montgomery High in Torrance.

Camp instructors will include catcher John Orton of the Angels and third baseman Chris Donnels of the Florida Marlins. The director is former Bishop Montgomery and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo player Joe Rumsey.

The cost is $175 for applications received by Dec. 12 and $195 after that date.

Information: Rumsey at (310) 316-2454.

More than 200 youths ages 10 to 18 are expected to participate in the Young Golfers of America Assn.’s Community Youth Day golf clinic from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday at Hollywood Park Golf & Sports Center, 3305 W. Century Blvd., Inglewood.

There is no charge.

Among the instructors will be 16-year-old Tiger Woods, defending state amateur champion.

Registration is from 11 a.m. to noon at the event.

Information: (213) 964-3517.

The El Camino College men’s soccer team will compete in the state final four tournament on Saturday and Sunday in San Jose. The Warriors (15-6-3) will meet Deanza College (20-1-3) in a semifinal at 2 p.m. Saturday. A victory would earn El Camino a spot in Sunday’s 2 p.m. final against the winner of Saturday’s other semifinal between East L.A. College and Chabot College.