Briefs: Newport’s Secaira cleared to play

Newport Harbor High softball standout Bella Secaira has been cleared to play, three months after injuries suffered from a 30-foot fall, her mother, Tiffany Etchegoyen said Friday.

She received clearance to play from her doctor Thursday, Etchegoyen said.

Secaira, a catcher who was named Daily Pilot Player of the Year in softball last spring as a sophomore, was in critical condition with a collapsed lung and a mild concussion in June.

She fell from an apartment building.

“She was a kid being a kid,” Etchegoyen explained at the time.

Secaira led the Sailors (13-16) in batting with a .450 average.

She also competes in club softball for the Firecrackers.

— Steve Virgen

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Vanguard’s Valles recognized in soccer

Vanguard University senior forward Gabriela Valles, who had three goals and two assists in a pair of victories last week, has been named Golden State Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week in women’s soccer.

Valles scored the go-ahead goal on a penalty kick and assisted on another tally in a 3-1 nonconference win over visiting Holy Names on Sept. 5.

She had two goals, including the game-winner, in a 6-0 thrashing of McKendree from Illinois Sept. 8 at home.

Valles leads the Lions (3-0) in goals (five) and assists (two).

She has helped Vanguard to a 5-0 start.

— From staff reports