National honors for Stanford's Villa in water polo, Toppel in men's volleyball National honors for Stanford's Villa in water polo, Toppel in men's volleyball (January 31, 2003)

by Rick Eymer

Stanford junior women's water polo player Brenda Villa was named the United States Olympic Committee's Athlete of the Month for December.

Villa, the 2002 Cutino Award winner, helped the U.S. Senior National team to a silver medal finish at the 2002 FINA World Cup in Perth, Australia in December.

Villa, who will lead defending national champion Stanford in its season opener on Sunday against visiting UC Davis at 1 p.m., was tied for the tournament high scorer with nine during the World Cup and was named to the Media All-World Team.

"I feel like I was more consistent this year," said Villa. "I've come a long way and feel like I'm a better all-around player. But we have some great centers on this team that give us outside shooters more room to work with," she said. "I wouldn't have any of this without the hard work of my teammates."

Villa beat out Stanford graduate Patricia Miranda, a member of the U.S. women's wrestling squad, for the monthly honor.
Men's volleyball

Stanford senior Curt Toppel was named the American Volleyball Coaches Association/Sports Imports National Men's Volleyball Player of the Week on Monday.

Toppel, a 6-foot-8 opposite hitter, averaged 5.67 kills, 1.44 digs and 0.56 blocks per game as the 11th-ranked Cardinal split a pair of matches with top-ranked Hawaii last week in Honolulu.

Toppel, who was also named Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Player of the Week on Monday, averaged 0.73 kills per game more than his season average (4.94) last week, despite playing against the number-one team in the USA Today/AVCA Division I-II Coaches Top 15 Poll.

Stanford (1-3, 3-5) visits Cal State Northridge today at 7 p.m. then goes to UC Santa Barbara on Saturday for a 5 p.m. match.
Women's crew

Stanford announced the signing of Elizabeth Harrison and Carly York to national letters-of-intent.

The two will begin attending Stanford in the fall.

"We are thrilled to have these top recruits join our team," said coach Aimee Baker.

Harrison, from Snohomish, Washington, has less than two years of rowing experience at Everett Rowing Association, but has already emerged as one of the top rowers in the country. Her 7:12 2k erg time places her as one of the fastest junior rowers in the United States.

York, from Oklahoma City where she rows for Oklahoma Rowing Association, was a member of the 2002 National team that competed at the World Championships and 2001 development team.
Women's gymnastics

Ninth-ranked Stanford (2-0, 4-1) opens its home season today with a four-team event at Burnham Pavilion at 7:30 p.m.

No. 12 Oregon State, San Jose State and Seattle Pacific visit Stanford.

Stanford won three events plus the all-round en route to a 195.250-192.950 victory over rival California last Friday.

Stanford, which finished sixth in the nation last season, will be host to top-ranked UCLA on Feb. 7, also in Burnham at 7:30 p.m. Other big home meets coming up for the Cardinal will be Arizona State and Air Force on Feb. 21 and Oklahoma on March 22.