Briefs: UCI quartet adds All-American honors

UC Irvine seniors Michael Brinkley and Zack La Cavera were named first-team All-American by Volleyball magazine, which made Anteaters Tamir Hershko and Jason Agopian second-team honorees.

Brinkley, unanimously named the top libero in the nation this year by the All-American voters, ended his career second on the UCI all-time list with 1,099 digs. The three-time American Volleyball Coaches Assn. All-America averaged 2.95 digs per set, which led the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation and ranked No. 4 in the nation.

La Cavera, the 2015 MPSF Player of the Year as a 6-foot-4 opposite, took 993 swings this season and led the conference in kills (468), points (565), and aces (44), while hitting .339. He recorded a career-high 26 kills in the MPSF final against Pepperdine.

Hershko, a 6-6 junior outside hitter, was second on the team with averages of 3.35 kills and 4.14 points per set. He hit .348 to rank No. 2 among MPSF outside hitters.

Agopian, a 6-7 junior middle blocker, hit .426 against MPSF opponents which ranked second in the league. He hit .402 overall and topped the squad in blocks (.095 per set), while averaging 1.73 kills per set.

UCI Coach David Kniffin was recognized on the third team after guiding the Anteaters (28-5) to MPSF regular-season and tournament titles, en route to the program’s sixth trip to the NCAA Championship.

— From staff reports

Locals vie for USA

John Mann, a former Corona del Mar High standout, and Newport Harbor product Luca Cupido are on the USA men’s national team that will take on the National League All-Stars at Segerstrom High on Saturday. The match begins at 6 p.m. and admission is free.

The game is Team USA’s tune-up to a four-game series against Serbia, June 2-9, including June 7 at El Toro High.

The National League All-Stars feature UC Irvine alum Greg Enloe and Anthony Daboub of Newport Beach.

Segerstrom High will also host a clinic featuring the USA men’s national team May 31 at 2 p.m. The clinic is open to male athletes ages 10-18. Registration, $160, is available online at webpoint.usawaterpolo.com/wp15/Events2/ViewEvt.wp?EventID=13040.

— From staff reports

Mesa duo commits

Costa Mesa High seniors Andres Avelar and Jayson Baker have committed to compete in cross country and track and field at Concordia University, Mustangs Coach Steve Moreno said in an email on Wednesday.

— From staff reports