Briefs: Lions in tournament

The Vanguard University women’s volleyball team received an at-large berth into the 36-team NAIA Tournament and will play host to La Sierra in the opening round Saturday at 7 p.m.

The No. 14-ranked Lions will among 24 teams competing in the opening round, hoping to advance to a round-robin tournament at the final site in Sioux City, Iowa.

First-year coach Eryn Leja’s Lions (21-12) finished tied for fourth in the Golden State Athletic Conference with a 10-8 record.

Vanguard is led by 5-foot-10 senior outside hitter Jamie Heenan and fellow first-team All-GSAC honoree KaUwila Lavea, a 6-1 senior outside hitter and middle blocker.

Heenan, a Newport Harbor High product, led the Lions in kills (440) aces (55) and was second with 301 digs.

Lavea was second on the team with 325 kills and added 45 total blocks.

— From staff reports

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OCC in regional

The Orange Coast College women’s soccer team earned an at-large berth into the 16-team California Community College Athletic Assn. Southern California Regional tournament.

The Pirates (13-4-4) are the No. 16 seed and visit top-seeded Cerritos (20-1) on Saturday.

OCC finished third in the Orange Empire Conference with a 10-3-3 record. The Pirates lost their last two regular-season games after having compiled a 7-0-3 stretch.

OCC is led by freshman midfielder Emma Pridmore, who has 14 goals and five assists.

Freshman forward Jessica Amaral had nine goals and 10 assists, while sophomore Nicole Vanderlaan has two goals and 10 assists for the Pirates.

OCC sophomore goalkeeper Katie O’Banion has a 0.60 goals-against average.

The second round is scheduled for Tuesday.

— From staff reports