PREP EXTRA

Anna-Kaisa Niemi

Irvine, Senior

Cross-country

With 1993 All-County performer Jessica Corbin sidelined with a hip injury, Irvine looked elsewhere for leadership Saturday at the Newport-Irvine Rotary Club Invitational at Woodbridge High. The Vaqueros got it from Niemi, an exchange student from Finland, who finished third in 18 minutes 33 seconds to help Irvine edge Palos Verdes Peninsula, ranked No. 2 in the section Division I preseason poll, in the Division I race. “I really think as she gains confidence, she’s going to continue to improve and move on up,” Irvine Coach Randy Rossi said.

Cross-country

Tracy Clark: Corona del Mar, junior. Finished first in the Division IV race at Woodbridge, leading the Sea Kings to the team title.

Tennis

Danielle Brandlin & Melissa Rosenthal: Los Alamitos. Each won her final two singles sets at love to lead unranked Griffins to a 76-66 victory in games over then-No. 7 Corona del Mar.

Volleyball

Marcy Crouch: Marina, senior. Had 28 kills as the unranked Vikings beat then-No. 6 Mater Dei in four games.

Misty May: Newport Harbor, senior. Had 29 kills, including nine in decisive game, in the top-ranked Sailors’ 15-17, 17-15, 15-4 victory over Laguna Beach in the Orange County Division I championship match.