Slaughter will sign today

Scott Slaughter, a standout for Corona del Mar’s boys’ volleyball team, said he will sign a letter of intent to play for UC Santa Barbara.

Today is the first day of the early signing period for all sports except football, field hockey, soccer and boys’ water polo.

The 6-foot-6 middle blocker will join the Gauchos for the 2007 volleyball season. UCSB finished the 2005 season 16-14, and had a 13-9 record in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation.

Big West soccer team released

UC Irvine sophomore women’s soccer player Kelly Little has been named second-team All-Big West Conference.

Little, a defender, had an assist on the game-winning goal in the Anteaters’ 2-0 upset of Long Beach State on Oct. 23.

It was the only assist of the season for Little, who did not score and attempted two shots.

UCI finished 5-12-2, 1-5-1 in conference.

In addition Costa Mesa High alum Sharon Day was named first--team All-Big West Conference. This marks the second time Day has been named to the first team. The junior at Cal Poly scored seven goals and made six assists this season.

Cal Poly finished their 2005 campaign 10-5-4, 2-4-1 in conference.

OCC honors Athletes of Week

Sophomore men’s soccer goalie Trent Painter and sophomore women’s volleyball outside hitter Brittney Ray have been named Orange Coast College Athletes of the Week.

Painter recorded a combined 16 saves in the Pirates’ 3-1 Orange Empire Conference win over Golden West on Nov. 1 and a 1-1 tie with conference-leading Santa Ana on Friday .

Painter has eight shutouts and a 1.21 goals-against average for the Pirates, (12-5-4, 7-4-1 in conference through Monday ).

Ray collected a combined 19 kills, 17 digs and four aces in a pair of three-game sweeps of Fullerton on Nov. 2 and Saddleback on Friday .

Through Monday, Ray led the team in aces (26), was second in kills (122), and third in digs (176) to help the Pirates post a 17-0 record, 11-0 in the Orange Empire Conference. OCC has won all 51 games it has played this season.