Marquis Commits to Long Beach State

Mariah Marquis, twice selected as the most valuable player of the women’s state volleyball tournament, has made an oral commitment to play at Long Beach State next fall, Golden West Coach Albert Gasparian said.

Marquis came to Golden West from Harbor High in Santa Cruz and was the co-most valuable player of the Orange Empire Conference as a freshman. She was an all-American pick both seasons and helped the Rustlers to two state titles.

“I think she’s got a chance to start,” Gasparian said.

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Help wanted: Orange Coast women’s tennis coach Janice Maran is looking for help after her top two players unexpectedly left the team at the semester break to accept scholarships to four-year colleges.

Cami Erickson, who was the Orange Empire Conference player of the year last season, is at Idaho State. Whitney Gilliam, who was the Pirates’ No. 2 singles player and Erickson’s doubles partner, is going to Texas Arlington. They reached the doubles semifinals in the state tournament last season.

Orange Coast has won 15 conference titles in Maran’s 20 seasons but the team needs two players to fill out the roster this season.

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On the move: The Saddleback men’s basketball team started Orange Empire Conference play with two losses but has since won four in a row to earn a share of first place with Irvine Valley and Orange Coast.

Saddleback (12-9, 4-2) ends the first round by hosting Golden West (6-17, 1-5) at 5:30 p.m. Saddleback is at Irvine Valley at 7:30 p.m. Friday in the first game of the second round.

The men’s games are at 7:30 p.m. and the women play at 5:30 in the second round.