NOTEBOOK / GARY KLEIN : Cal State L.A.’s Massey Is Volleyball Coach of the Year

Mark Massey, who guided the Cal State Los Angeles women’s volleyball team to a No. 4 ranking in the final NCAA Division II poll, was named 1992 Asics/Volleyball Monthly Coach of the Year.

Massey, who completed his fourth season with the Golden Eagles, led his team to a 25-10 record after finishing 9-19 in 1991.

“Last year’s team was a fairly young team, as was this year’s,” said Massey, who came to Cal State L.A. from Northeastern University. “But there was a big difference in competitive spirit. The players were tough-minded.

“Every coach works for, but doesn’t always get, a team coming together to achieve a goal. That’s what happened with this group because we were definitely outsized and outgunned against most of the Top 10 teams.”

Freshman outside hitter Andrea Ferchaw of Cal State L.A. and senior outside hitter Mitsue Tomoyasu of Cal Poly Pomona were named second-team All-Americans.

The Azusa Pacific men’s basketball team is living up to its preseason billing as one of the top teams in the National Assn. of Intercollegiate Athletics.

The Cougars, ranked ninth in NAIA Division I, entered the week with a 13-2 record, the school’s second-best start in history. Azusa Pacific started 14-1 in the 1968-69 season.

Azusa Pacific began play in the Golden State Athletic Conference on Tuesday by defeating Southern California College, 114-109. The Cougars travel to Fresno Pacific on Saturday.

Five Azusa Pacific players average more than 10 points a game, including forward Ronnie Winbush, who is averaging 17.9 points and 6.2 rebounds. Guard Earick Peters is averaging 17.4 points, 6.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists. Front-court player Bob Terry averages 15 points and 7.4 rebounds.

The Azusa Pacific women’s basketball team is also off to a good start.

The Cougars, under 17-year Coach Sue Hebel, entered the week at 8-3 and 1-0 in the GSAC. Azusa Pacific has already matched last season’s win total, when it finished 8-18 and 1-9 in conference.

Twenty-three high school football players from the San Gabriel Valley will be honored Sunday at The Times’ annual football awards breakfast at the Pasadena Hilton.

The Times’ back, lineman and coach of the year will be announced at the banquet.

A 5- and 10-K run and 5-K walk to benefit the Azusa Pacific track and field program and Azusa elementary schools’ athletic programs is scheduled for Feb. 1.

There is also a 2-K race for participants ages 13 and under.

Information: (818) 969-3434.

Pasadena is sponsoring a golf tournament Feb. 12 at Brookside Golf Course.

The tournament, open to the public, will feature a scramble format. Awards and lunch will follow the tournament. Proceeds will benefit Pasadena’s United Way/Brotherhood Crusade campaign.

Information: (818) 405-4660.

The Leukemia Society of America is seeking runners interested in raising money to fight the disease through participation in the Long Beach and/or Los Angeles marathons.

The nonprofit organization is sponsoring weekly training sessions at Caltech in Pasadena. The program is designed to meet the needs of novice and advanced runners.

Information: (213) 724-4582.

The Foothill-Citrus Baseball Umpires Assn. will have an orientation meeting Jan. 24 at Walnut High for experienced and inexperienced umpires.

The association provides training in rules and mechanics for umpires, who earn $46 a game for one-man high school varsity games.

Information: (818) 964-9445.