Eckmier Set to Play Volleyball for UCLA

Angela Eckmier, a 6-foot-2 middle blocker for the Van Nuys High volleyball team, has committed to UCLA.

The two-time All-City Section selection chose the Bruins over Washington, Colorado and Arizona.

“Something at UCLA has made it the place for me,” said Eckmier, who has targeted UCLA since the recruiting process began. “I love the coaching staff and the players are great. I’m thrilled.”

Eckmier was a Times’ all-region selection last season.

GOLF

Eight is enough: Long-hitting John Daly will join Gary Player, Brad Faxon, Jesper Parnevik, Jim Furyk, Chi Chi Rodriguez, Peter Jacobsen and Billy Andrade in the eight-player field for the $500,000 EMC Golf Skills Challenge on Nov. 3 at Ojai Valley Inn and Spa.

Daly, 31, won the 1991 PGA Championship and the 1995 British Open and is recognized as the PGA Tour’s longest hitter with an average of 301.9 yards per drive.

The made-for-television skills challenge will take place entirely on the par-70 course’s par-five ninth hole. Competition will take place in driving, mid-iron, trouble, fairway bunker, pitch and long green-side bunker shots, as well as putting, bunker and short-iron shots.

Wernick wins: Robert Wernick of Rancho Mirage won a three-way playoff with a par on the second sudden-death hole to win the Southern California Golf Assn. Senior Amateur championship Tuesday at Saticoy Country Club in Somis.

Wernick’s two-day total of eight-over-par 152 tied with Paul Ladin of Westlake Village and Bud Bradley of Santa Monica.

Ralph Rubenstein of Encino and Charles Wagner of Camarillo shot 156 and tied for 12th.

MSU bound: Westlake High golfer Brad Burke has committed to Michigan State. Burke attended a golf camp at Michigan State over the summer and impressed coaches.

FOOTBALL

Jones out: Kennedy High running back Paul Jones missed last week’s game against Cleveland and will miss the Cavaliers’ game tonight against Chatsworth for personal reasons, said Coach Bob Francola.

Jones, a transfer from Monroe, gained 400 yards and scored five touchdowns in the Golden Cougars’ first three games. Francola would not elaborate why Jones is not with the team, but said he might return the week of Oct. 20.

Jones was replaced at tailback by junior Jason Jones, who gained 95 yards in a 37-14 victory over the Cavaliers.

BASKETBALL

No fifth year: Marquis Love, a top returning basketball player for Harvard-Westlake, has been denied a fifth year of eligibility by the Southern Section, according to coach Greg Hilliard. Love can make an appeal to the state CIF.

BOXING

Ventura bouts: Monthly boxing will return to Ventura County on Nov. 19 at Leonardo’s Restaurant and Night Club.

Promoter Robert Valdez, who has presented two boxing programs in Ventura and Oxnard since May, said he has reached a one-year agreement with managers of the venue, which holds 1,000 spectators. Boxing will take place on the third Wednesday of every month.

Bouts for the November show have yet to be determined.

SOCCER

Coaching changes: Jim Marshall has resigned as the Newbury Park High boys’ soccer coach. A replacement has not been hired. Jerry Ray has been hired as the Panthers’ girls’ soccer coach, replacing Donna Dorman, who resigned after last season.

Craig Fulladosa, Highland’s boys’ soccer coach from 1991-94, has been hired to coach the Highland girls’ team. Fulladosa, 40, who has also coached at Capistrano Valley, Santa Clara and Santa Paula, was the girls’ junior varsity coach last year. He succeeds Dave Ferguson, who resigned after leading the Bulldogs to the Golden League title last year.