Top Table Tennis Players Set to Compete
The top-rated U.S. players begin competition today in the ninth National Seniors Table Tennis Tournament at Leisure World in Laguna Hills.
More than 185 participants, age 40 and older, are expected to compete for $12,000 in cash prizes during the U.S. Table Tennis-certified tournament, which will be in Clubhouse 5.
Among the top players is Chen Yinghua, the top-rated U.S. men’s singles and doubles champion and a former member of China’s national team. It will be his first senior tournament. Also expected to compete are Tong Huang Sheng, the top-ranked U.S. senior player, and Leisure World resident Harry Bloom, a three-time national singles champion.
Play begins on 12 tables each day at 9 a.m. and continues to 5 p.m. Admission is free and spectators should enter Leisure World at Gate 9. For information, call (714) 458-7942.
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University’s Erin Hayes has signed a letter of intent to play water polo at UCLA. Hayes, a two-time Pacific Coast League MVP, was a first-team Times All-County selection after scoring 99 goals to lead the Trojans to the Southern Section Division III final.
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Laguna Beach’s Adam Johnson and Brazil’s Jose Loiola, standouts on the Assn. of Volleyball Professionals tour, are among the players scheduled to participate in a beach volleyball exhibition tournament starting at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Huntington Beach Pier.
The exhibition is part of the Amateur Volleyball Assn.’s qualifier event, which includes women’s and men’s semi-pro divisions. The AVA tournament begins at 9 a.m. Saturday and concludes at 2 p.m. Sunday.
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Third baseman Randall Shelley, a Times Orange County first-team selection from Santa Margarita, is one of four county seniors selected to play in the 29th North/South State All-Star Series this weekend in San Bernardino.
Shelley hit .530 with eight home runs and 28 runs batted in, helping Santa Margarita (21-7) win the Sea View League. He was selected in last week’s amateur draft in the 22nd round by the Texas Rangers.
Other county participants are Mater Dei catcher Brett Kay, a Times second-team pick; Pacifica outfielder Brian Barnes and Esperanza third baseman Josh Shaffer.
The three-game series is 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 11 a.m. Sunday. All games will be played at The Ranch, home of the San Bernardino Stampede, the Dodgers’ Class-A affiliate in the California League.
General admission tickets are $3 per game or $7 for the series.
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The Sunny Hills Racquet Club hosts the “Pie-in-the-Sky” Mixed Doubles Championships and Party Saturday and Sunday in Fullerton.
Players will compete for gifts and prizes totaling $10,000, including $2,500 for winners of the open division. Among those competing is Gretchen Magers, who has advanced beyond the round of 16 in doubles at the French, Australian and Wimbledon championships.
Saturday night’s party will feature a mixed-doubles exhibition match between UCLA alumna Keri Phebus and current Bruin Alex Decret against USC tennis team members Amber Basica and Fernando Samyoa at 6:30 p.m. Tickets, which include dinner, magic show, music and dancing, are $25.
Proceeds will benefit the new Virginia K. Crosson Cancer Center at the St. Jude Medical Center in Fullerton.
For information, call (714) 992-1300 or (714) 525-2440.