Briefs: Volding returns to coach CdM girls

Doug Volding has returned as the head coach for Corona del Mar High girls’ swimming, he said Wednesday.

Volding held the position for 24 years before retiring in 2009. However, he said he has worked through some health issues and decided to return.

“I’m energized,” said Volding, 62. “I’m back because I feel good.”

CdM Coach Barry O’Dea, who has been the head coach of the entire program, remains the boys’ head coach. Stephanie Gabert, who swam under Volding before graduating from CdM in 2007, is again an assistant coach for both the boys and girls.

Volding led the CdM girls to the CIF Southern Section Division II title in 2004. The Sea Kings were runner-up in 2003 and 2005.

— Matt Szabo

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Simon wins in Texas

Sage Hill School tennis senior Robbe Simon won in doubles and was runner-up in singles at the Sun City Championships, a United States Tennis Assn. Level 4 national tournament completed Monday in El Paso, Texas.

Simon and partner Bryan Cunningham of New Mexico, seeded No. 2, won the boys’ 18 doubles draw. They won three eight-game pro-sets to advance to the title match, which they won when their top-seeded opponents defaulted.

Simon was also seeded No. 4 in 18 singles. He upset No. 2 seed Augustus Ge of Arizona, 7-5, 6-4 in the semifinals before falling to top-seeded Arjun Bai of Arizona, 6-3, 6-1.

Simon plays at No. 1 singles for the Lightning. Last year he helped the Sage boys win the CIF Southern Section Division III title, a first in program history.

— Matt Szabo

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Tillie recognized

UC Irvine junior Kevin Tillie was named Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Player of the Week in men’s volleyball.

The 6-foot-4 outside hitter had a match-best 19 kills, a career-high nine digs and two ace serves in the Anteaters’ four-game victory at Pacific on Friday.

In a four-game win at No. 2-ranked Stanford on Saturday, Tillie had 22 kills to help then-No. 3-ranked ‘Eaters prevail.

For the week, he averaged 5.1 kills, 1.9 digs and 5.7 points per set.

UCI, now ranked No. 2, will visit No. 1-ranked UCLA on Saturday at 7 p.m.

— From staff reports