Briefly In Sports

Wacholder planning a return

Laguna Beach native Rachel Wacholder had a baby in early April, but that’s not going to keep her off the sand for long.

Wacholder is planning a return to the Assn. of Volleyball Professionals Tour with Kerri Walsh, the AVP has announced. The duo is working toward playing at the Hermosa Beach Open, scheduled for Aug. 6-9.

Wacholder, 34, had son Koa on April 3. Her husband, Sean Scott, also plays on the AVP Tour. Wacholder, who now lives in Redondo Beach, has won six AVP Tour titles and finished the season ranked as high as third (2005-06).

Walsh, a two-time Olympic gold medalist with partner Misty May-Treanor, also has an AVP Tour husband in Casey Jennings. She also just welcomed an addition to her family as well when she gave birth to Joseph in May.

May-Treanor is currently out with an Achilles injury. Wacholder and Walsh have had success before, when they won two international tournaments prior to the 2004 Olympics.

Now, they plan to compete together again just months after childbirth.

After the Hermosa Beach Open, there are six tour events left in the season, culminating in the “Best of the Beach” competition in Glendale, Ariz. in late September.

Laguna Beach polo teams in state championships

Laguna Beach water polo teams will be in competition this weekend at the California State High School Championships.

Both Breakers teams will be coached by Ethan Damato. In the girls’ tournament, defending champion Laguna Beach is the third-overall seed out of 32 teams. Damato said the Breakers have played top-seeded Newport Harbor close both times they’ve played this summer.

Laguna’s girls are led by senior-to-be Lexie Ross “” the team’s third-leading scorer last season “” as well as junior Jessie Holechek and sophomore Yoshi Andersen (both drivers). Goalie Etianne Manetta (junior), as well as juniors Jessica Shusko and Riley Duncan and sophomore Melena Masson, are also key contributors.

Laguna Beach’s pool-play opponents starting today include Mater Dei, Leland and Clovis West. Pool play continues Saturday morning at Mater Dei, with quarterfinals Saturday afternoon.

The championship match is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday, at Corona del Mar High.

“We feel like we can play with Newport for sure,” Damato said. “We’re definitely going in with the attitude of we’re trying to win the tournament. It’s a real good tournament. It’s nice to see where you stand.”

On the boys’ side, Laguna Beach is seeded fourth in its pool and will play tournament top-seed Newport Harbor in its first game today at noon at Newport Harbor.

Laguna is led by seniors David Brunner, Robert Chew and Robbie Quellmalz, as well as sophomore Nolan McConnell, juniors Spencer Dodson and Jack Clark and senior Zack Riegler.

Dries named to junior national roster

Recent Laguna Beach High graduate Annika Dries has been named to the USA Water Polo women’s junior national team roster for the upcoming FINA Women’s Junior World Championships.

The event takes place Aug. 9-15 in Khanty-Mansyisk, Russia.

Dries, who plays center, had played with the women’s senior national team in international tournaments. The Orange Coast League MVP and CIF Southern Section Division II Player of the Year is headed to Stanford.