UCLA’s Wells continues his fiery tempo

Here’s some college news of Newport-Mesa District alumni from

across the nation:

* At UCLA, former Newport Harbor High standout Zach Wells

continues to provide stellar defense for the Bruins. He tied the UCLA

school record for saves in a game with 11 and also added an assist

for good measure, leading the Bruins to a 3-0 win over PAC-10 foe

Oregon State Friday.

The Beavers fired 25 shots, but Wells was still able to post a

shutout and helped UCLA increase its unbeaten streak to seven games.

Eight of Wells’ saves came in the second half. He also contributed on

the offensive front, launching a goal kick in the 74th minute that

teammate Cliff McKinley slipped in for UCLA’s third goal. The assist

was the first by a Bruin keeper since 2000.

The Bruins (9-1-2, 4-0-0 in the Pac-10) will attempt to earn its

first road victory against Washington in 22 years when they take on

the Huskies today at 2 p.m.

* At USC, former Newport Harbor standout April Ross posted a

double-double to help lead the top-ranked Trojans women’s volleyball

team to a tight 30-27, 30-17, 25-30, 32-30 PAC-10 victory at

Washington Friday.

Ross collected 11 digs and 12 kills as the Trojans remained

undefeated (17-0, 10-0 in the PAC-10).

In Trojan football, Jay Bottom, a Corona del Mar product, has

earned his way into the rotation at defensive line. Bottom, a

6-foot-3, 215-pound walk-on sophomore, has been No. 2 on the depth

chart at defensive end in the Trojans’ past two games.

In local college news:

* At Vanguard University, Jennifer Johnson, a senior setter on

the Lions women’s volleyball team, earned the Lion of the Week award.

In two matches last week, Johnson provided a team-leading 62

assists and also topped the Lions with five serving aces. In

addition, she had eight kills and 16 digs.

Vanguard’s biggest win of the week came over Cal Baptist, when the

Lions won in five games. In the match, Johnson set for 45 assists and

delivered four aces and seven kills to help Vanguard win its fourth

match out of the last seven matches.