Vanguard women top NAIA poll

As expected, the Vanguard University women’s basketball team opened the season as the top-ranked team by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. The Lions received all 11 first place votes in the poll.

The Lions were also tabbed No. 1 in the NAIA Sports Talk rankings, which came out earlier this week.

Last season, Vanguard finished 32-4 and earned its third straight Golden State Athletic Conference title. The Lions made it to the quarterfinals of the NAIA National Championship Tournament.

Vanguard returns NAIA first-team All-American Kelly Schmidt and honorable mention All-American Rachel Beese.

UCI’s Little honored

UC Irvine’s Kelly Little was named to the Soccer Buzz National Elite Team of the Week. The sophomore had an assist in the Anteaters’ 1-0 victory over No. 25 Long Beach State.

The defender, who was also named the Big West Conference Player of the Week, is the first Anteater honored with the award.

Rugby club seeks new members

The Back Bay Youth Rugby Club will be hosting an information session and barbecue for interested players 19-and-under.

The session will be held at the club’s field on A-Street in Newport Beach on Saturday at noon.

For more information, visit the Back Bay Rugby Football Club’s website at www.backbayrfc.com.