D’Alessandro Says He’s Moving to UC Irvine

Golden West College men’s volleyball Coach Mike D’Alessandro said Tuesday that he expects to be hired as associate head coach for men’s volleyball at UC Irvine.

D’Alessandro would fill a void at Irvine that was left by the departure this month of Travis Turner. Turner, who was an assistant with the Anteater men’s and women’s teams, will become coach of the men’s club volleyball team in Berkeley that is affiliated with California.

Golden West Athletic Director and women’s volleyball Coach Albert Gasparian said he has hired Tim Johnson, who coaches the boys’ volleyball team at Fountain Valley High, and his assistant, Steve Uchytip, as co-head coaches to replace D’Alessandro.

FOOTBALL

Mater Dei’s football game against Concord De La Salle High on Saturday at Edison Field has been moved to 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $12 in the field, terrace and club levels, $10 in the lower view section, $8 in the upper view section and $6 for students. Parking is $7. Tickets are available at Mater Dei this week and Edison Field on game night only.

* Saddleback High running back/linebacker Joel Gonzalez has returned to practice earlier than expected after being cleared to play by doctors, his mother, Teresa Gonzalez, said Tuesday.

He was stabbed Aug. 11 and required surgery to repair a punctured lung.

SOFTBALL

Jill Matyuch, who coached El Dorado the last two seasons, has accepted a position as an assistant coach for the Texas softball program.

Matyuch, a former Cal State Fullerton shortstop, guided the Golden Hawks to a 35-16-1 record in two seasons, including 22-4 and the Empire League title in 1999.

* Jane Emerson-Brown, who coached the junior varsity team last season at Villa Park, has been hired as the Spartans’ varsity softball coach, according to Athletic Director Mark McMahon.

BASKETBALL

Quinn Hawking, a 6-foot-5 guard who led El Dorado to the Empire League title, has transferred to Anaheim, said Golden Hawks Athletic Director Carl Sweet.

His father, former Cal State Fullerton Coach Bob Hawking, is the boys’ coach at Anaheim.