COLLEGE SCENE UCLA.

Byline: - Lee Barnathan

The women's water polo team shared the MPSF title with Stanford and USC but earned the third seed because of goal differential. That means to win the conference, the Bruins will have to beat both USC and Stanford. UCLA lost to Stanford 9-4 at Stanford and 6-4 at UCLA. The Bruins beat USC 9-8.

As has been the case this season, the Bruins rely on their depth. Eleven players have scored at least 13 goals, led by Coralie Simmons' 41 and Kelly Huechen's 34.

USC

Dick Leach, who led the Trojans to three NCAA tennis titles in his 23-year coaching career, is retiring after this season. Leach, 62, will remain on the staff at USC as emeritus coach of men's tennis, advising athletic director Mike Garrett and the new coach on the development of the program as well as helping raise funds for the sport.

``We're losing a legend at USC and in the tennis community,'' Garrett said. ...

A 6-22, 3-19 MPSF men's volleyball season disappointed many. Coach Pat Powers returns next year for his seventh season with directions to turn things around.

Powers has some quality, especially incoming freshman Derek Otto from Loyola of Los Angeles. Otto will help the Trojans offset the loss of Brook Billings, whose eligibility is exhausted. Billings went out well, however, winning national player of the week honors as the Trojans ended with a victory and eliminated Pacific from the postseason.

CSUN 

The women's water polo team completes its first year on Friday in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation tournament at USC. The Matadors enter 0-11 in the MPSF, 5-20 overall. Coach Molly Barnes said the season has been ``about as good as can be expected.''

Coming from UCLA, Barnes didn't have illusions about how the team would do. For the tournament, Barnes' simple goal: make the score respectable against whomever the Matadors play.

``We've improved. Everyone feels it,'' Barnes said. ``It's hard going into a game and trying your best, do all you can do and lose by 10 goals.''

LOYOLA MARYMOUNT

On the Lions Web site is a survey asking people to vote on which spring sport is the most exciting. Surprisingly, the baseball team, which is challenging for a WCC division championship, finished second in the voting, with 25.6 percent.

The top vote-getter, at 29.1 percent, is women's crew. ...

Junior soccer player Jeff Kovar and senior water polo goalie Devon Courtney were named Athletes of the Year. Kovar was instrumental in the soccer team reaching the NCAA Tournament for the first time, and Courtney helped the Lions reach the NCAA Final Four for the first time.

PEPPERDINE

The men's golf team won its fourth consecutive WCC title, defeating runner-up San Francisco by 33 strokes. It's the Waves' eighth conference title in the last nine seasons and 12th dating to 1987.

Senior Michael Beard earned individual medalist honors and was named the conference Golfer of the Year after a 10-under-par 206. Beard shot 65-69-72 to beat senior teammate Jason Allred by four strokes in the final individual standings. Beard's 65 tied his personal best.

Sophomore Randy Creighton and freshman Brian O'Flaherty tied for fifth at 6-over-par 222.