Alumni Report

A weekly look at the college progress of former Orange County prep athletes.

UCLA WATER POLO

* County connections: Eight players are on the active roster, including three from Corona del Mar (James Palda, Neil Hueston and Jeff Marchiorlatti). Also playing for the 1996 national champions are Andrew and Samuel Bailey of San Clemente, Brian Brown of Foothill, Sam Grayeli of Costa Mesa and Aaron Harries of Canyon. Two other players will be redshirts this season.

* Worth noting: UCLA is 2-0 after victories over Air Force and UC San Diego. Harries had three points in the 21-0 victory over Air Force. Grayeli scored in both games.

USC WATER POLO

* County connections: Six county players are on the active roster, including two from Marina and Golden West College (Erik Larson and Darin Smith). Also playing for the Trojans are Allen Basso of El Toro, Johnathon Hewko of San Clemente, Sean Hylton of Costa Mesa and Grant McCann of Laguna Beach. Seven other players will be redshirts, including Marina’s Stever O’Rourke, who broke his arm when he was hit by a car on his way to practice.

* Worth noting: USC defeated UC Irvine, 14-2, Saturday in the opener for both teams. Hylton scored twice and Basso and Larson were among eight Trojans who had points in the victory.

* Appearing locally: USC plays at Long Beach State at 7 tonight, then UCLA and USC take part in the 10-team Southern California tournament Saturday and Sunday at USC. Long Beach State and UC Irvine are also in the tournament field.

BROWN VOLLEYBALL

* County connections: There are three locals on the roster: Ashley Roth of Laguna Beach, Courtney Chase of University and Kathryn Rice of Corona del Mar.

* Worth noting: Brown, an Ivy League school in Providence, R.I., will play UC Irvine Thursday at the Santa Clara Invitational. Brown is 3-1 after winning the Days Hotel Volleyball Classic in Providence last weekend. Rice, who had a tournament high 29 kills against Colgate on Friday, was named to the all-tournament team.

Alumni Report welcomes suggestions of former Orange County prep athletes who have continued their careers in college. Call (714) 966-5904 or fax (714) 966-5663.