Briefs:

Newport Harbor High product April Ross and former UC Irvine player Ty Loomis each earned beach volleyball tournament titles in separate events over the weekend.

Ross, playing with Jen Kessy, defeated Brazilians Juliana Felisberta Silva and Larissa Franca, 30-28, 23-21, in a 58-minute final Saturday to claim the women’s crown of the Swatch Federation Internationale de Volleyball World Championships in Stavanger, Norway.

Loomis, paired with Casey Patterson, upset top-seeded John Hyden and Sean Scott, 26-24, 21-19, to capture the Assn. of Volleyball Professionals’ mens title Sunday in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Loomis and Patterson, the No. 7 seeded duo, claimed their first AVP title. Loomis’ previous best showing was a third-place effort with then-partner Hans Stolfus in 2007 in Chicago.

The AVP Tour continues at the Manhattan Beach Open, July 16-19.

Mello lifts Team USA

UC Irvine alumnus Colin Mello helped the United States men’s water polo team advance to the quarterfinals of the World University Games in Belgrade, Serbia.

Mello had three goals in a 16-3 win over Poland, then made three key steals in the fourth quarter to help seal a 10-8 victory over Spain Monday.

The former All-American was assigned to defend Spain’s top scorer most of the game.

Team USA, which earlier in Group D competition tied Japan, 8-8, and lost to Hungary, 9-8, moves on to the quarterfinal. The Americans will play Australia on Wednesday for a spot in the semifinals.

Four Anteaters lauded

Four UC Irvine women’s water polo players have been named to the Assn. of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches All-Academic team for 2008-09.

Sarah Frost and Janée Walsh who were both seniors, were recognized, as were Cortney Collyer and Lauren Davis, both of whom were sophomores last season.

Walsh had 27 goals. Davis had a team-high 105 saves.

Collyer (27 goals) and Walsh (one goal) also helped the Anteaters finish 23-9 and win the Big West Conference Tournament championship.

Frost earned the honor all four years of her career and Collyer was twice selected on the All-Academic team.

UCI’s Ibia shines

UC Irvine freshman Golde Ibia finished fifth in the 100-meter hurdles at the USA Junior Outdoor Track and Field Championships June 26 at the University of Oregon.

Ibia, who will be a sophomore in the fall, recorded a time of 13.92 seconds.