Sports

Kayla Varney has been rolling as of late.The sophomore recorded a team-high25kills to go along with30digs as the Aggies split a pair of road matches in Southern California this weekend.

Nine seniors werehonored. Eight yellow cardswerehanded out. The key number,however,was one – the single pointnecessary for the Aggies to qualify as the fourth seed in the inaugural conference tournament.

When Bakari Grant answered Greg Denham’s38-yard prayer with no time remaining to beat Northern Colorado,it was unbelievable. When the women’s water polo team knocked off Loyola Marymount in2006to end the Lions‘ five-year stranglehold on the Western Water Polo Association and advance to the NCAA Tournament,it was epic.

Teams:UC Davis vs.Sacramento State Records:Aggies,5-4; Hornets,4-5 Where:Aggie Stadium When:Saturday at2p.m.

Teams:No.11UC Davis vs.No.7UC San Diego; UC Santa Cruz Records:Aggies,7-10 (6-3); Tritons,16-9 (5-3); BananaSlugs,6-16 (0-6) Where:Schaal Aquatics Center When:Today at6p.m.and Sunday atnoon

Teams:No.11UC Davis vs.No.17UC Santa Barbara Records:Aggies,12-3-3 (4-2-3); Gauchos,10-5-3 (5-2-2) Where:Aggie Soccer Stadium When:Saturday at11a.m.

Teams:UC Davis at UC Irvine; UC San Diego Where:Anteater Aquatics Complex – Irvine; Canyonview Pool – San Diego When:Today and Saturday,all day; Sunday at11a.m.

Teams:UC Davisvs.UC Irvine; UC Riverside Records:Aggies,11-13 (3-8); Anteaters,12-11 (7-3); Highlanders,8-17 (3-7) Where:Bren Events Center – Irvine; Student Recreation Center – Riverside When:Todayat7p.m.; Saturday at7p.m.

Men’s basketball UC Davis hosts Notre Dame de Namur in its second and finalexhibition tonight.The contest tips at7p.m.,and there is no charge for admission.

Men’s basketball Joe Harden scored15points and hauled in10rebounds to lead UC Davis to an89-69victory overBethanyin an exhibition game at the Pavilion on Tuesday. Harden led a group of four Aggies who finished with at least10points.Mark Payne andRyan Silva each scored12,with Payne dishing out eight assists and Silva posting five steals.In addition,Adam Malik finished with10points.Bethany’s George Golden led all scorers with21points.

They were that close. Two questionable calls from the referee resulted in two Pacific goals,ending UC Davis‘ chance of making the Big West Conference Tournament for the first time in program history. The Aggies held the Tigers scoreless for64minutes until a free kick turned into a bouncing header by Kristina Wavomba to put Pacific on top1-0.

Make no mistake:Renee Ibekwe is the real deal. A walk-on turned superstar,Ibekwe has led the UC Davis women’s volleyballteam to the program’s highest win total since2003with amark of11-13,3-8. The5-foot-11senioroutside hitter is a leader in the stat book as well as on the court,pacing theBig West Conference with3.74kills pergame. Leading up to the team’s final road trip of the season,Aggie staffwriter Matt Millerrecentlycaught up with Ibekwe todiscussthe unique start to her career andtheteam’s success this season.