Briefs: Warde All-American

Danielle Warde, a senior for the UC Irvine women’s water polo team in 2015, has been named second-team All-American by the Assn. of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches.

It’s the third straight second-team recognition for Warde, who was also named UCI’s Outstanding Student-Athlete.

Warde, a four-time All-Big West Conference performer, led the Anteaters to a fifth-place finish at the NCAA Championship in May, matching the 2011 squad for the top finish in program history.

The Anteaters (21-9) reached the NCAA tournament each of the four years in which Warde competed.

Warde led UCI with 46 goals.

Receiving honorable mention in the All-American voting were UCI senior goalie Jillian Yocum, junior McKenna Mitchell and center McKenna Mitchell and Big West Freshman of the Year Mary Brooks.

— From staff reports

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U.S. Open of Surfing dates set

The 2015 Vans U.S. Open of Surfing is July 25-Aug. 2 at the Huntington Beach Pier.

The top surfers in the world will compete for one of the sport’s largest prize purses in the world’s largest surf competition. The event also includes a lifestyle festival atmosphere that runs the duration of the Open.

— From staff reports

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Two locals shine

Costa Mesa resident Sara Hughes and former UC Irvine player Will Montgomery teamed with partners to win the second NORCECA women’s and men’s beach volleyball qualifying events, respectively, on June 24 in Hermosa Beach.

Hughes teamed with Kelly Claes to top No. 4-seeded Irene Pollock and Caitlin Ledoux, 21-7, 21-16, in the women’s final.

The No. 6-seeded duo of Hughes and Claes defeated the No. 3 seeded Emily Stockman and Allison McColloch, 21-15, 21-19, in the quarterfinals, before upsetting No. 2-seeded Heather Hughes and Amanda Dowdy, 22-24, 21-11, 15-13, in the semifinals.

Montgomery, paired with Ed Ratledge as the No. 3 seed, defeated top-seeded Todd Rogers and Stafford Slick, 21-15, 21-18, in the men’s final.

Montgomery and Ratledge knocked off No. 2-seeded Avery Drost and Billy Kolinske, 21-19, 21-17, in the semifinals.

— From staff reports