Blue will become a Sun Devil

Newport Harbor senior signs letter of intent with Arizona State, UCI inks three volleyball recruits and CdM football player commits. With the early signing period drawing toward its close, Newport Harbor High senior Whitney Blue said Tuesday she has signed a national letter of intent to run cross-country and track at Arizona State University.

In addition, UC Irvine announced the signings of three girls’ volleyball players -- setter Taryn Robertson of Valencia High in Valencia, Los Alamitos High outside hitter Alex Filkins and Brentwood High middle blocker Chelsea Ellis -- to national letters of intent.

Also, Corona del Mar football player Avery Fenton orally committed to Cornell University, his father, Bob Fenton, said Tuesday.

The early signing period ends today for all sports except boys’ water polo, soccer, football and field hockey.

Blue, who was the state Division II runner-up at last year’s state cross country championships, said she was impressed with “the whole package” of Arizona State. Blue said the staff made it clear they wanted her in Tempe.

“[Sun Devils] Coach Louie Quintana called every day the NCAA would allow,” Blue said. “He made it clear that he wanted me to come to school there.”

Blue said she was excited the Sun Devils’ schedule will allow her to compete in California, and run against former teammates and former competitors from the area.

For the Anteaters, Coach Charlie Brande picked up a trio of players well regarded in the high school and club ranks.

Robertson, a 5-foot-11 setter, was the Foothill League’s most valuable player last season and earned All-CIF Southern Section Division I second-team honors. Valencia advanced to the Division I-AA quarterfinals this season before being ousted by Lakewood.

Filkins, a 6-1 outside hitter, is a two-time All-CIF Southern Section Division I first-team selection for Los Alamitos. The Griffins advanced to the Division I-A championship match with a victory over Norco on Tuesday night.

Ellis, a 6-foot-2 middle blocker, led Brentwood to the Division IV-AA quarterfinals and helped her club team win a national title this summer.

Avery Fenton, a 6-foot-3, 230-pound senior, has caught five passes for 49 yards and one touchdown this season. He had two catches for 22 yards and one touchdown as a junior.

Fenton is awaiting his official letter of acceptance from the Ivy League school on or before Dec. 15. Cornell does not offer athletic scholarships and competes in NCAA Division I-AA.

Bob Fenton said his son -- who was also recruited by Harvard, Yale, Columbia and Georgetown -- is scheduled to make an official visit to the Ithaca, N.Y. campus on Dec. 2.

Fenton also competes in track and field for the Sea Kings. He finished second at the Pacific Coast League Finals in the discus throw last spring and has qualified for the CIF Southern Section preliminaries the last two seasons.

Fenton’s late older brother, Sean, was recruited to play football at Yale. Sean Fenton was killed in an automobile accident during his junior year at Yale in January of 2003.