Area roundup: Baynes scores 17 in University Games win

Washington State University center Aron Baynes scored 17 points and grabbed a game-high nine rebounds in Australia’s 106-66 rout of Chinese Taipei in a men’s basketball classification contest at the World University Games late Wednesday night in Bangkok, Thailand.

Australia controlled the game from the start, using a 22-2 run at the end of the first quarter to take a 28-13 lead after one. Chinese Taipei kept pace during the second, and Australia went into the half with a 49-35 advantage. But Australia went on another big run after the break, stretching its lead to 74-49 after three.

With the win, Australia advanced to play the Czech Republic today in a game that will determine 17th place in the 24-team tournament. The two teams met Sunday in a second-phase game, which the Czech Republic won 69-53. Baynes scored a team-high 16 points and pulled down eight rebounds in that contest.

Volleyball

The University of Washington volleyball team is ranked No. 8 in the 2007 CSTV/AVCA Preseason Coaches Poll, after receiving 1,088 points. The Huskies, 2006 national semifinalists and Pac-10 runner-ups, return four starters for 2007. All-Americans Christal Morrison, a senior outside hitter and 2006 Pac-10 Player of the Year, Alesha Deesing, a senior middle blocker, and Jessica Swarbrick, a junior middle blocker, are all returning to the lineup this year. The Huskies also return starters Stevie Mussie, a senior outside hitter, and Tamari Miyashiro, a sophomore libero.

Washington, which reported to camp Aug. 7, is hosting the Husky Classic Aug. 24-25 at Bank of America Arena to open the season. The Huskies will play San Francisco on Aug. 24 at 7 p.m. to start the tourney. Washington opens the Pac-10 season on the road against Oregon and Oregon State Sept. 21-22.

Nebraska, the 2006 national champions, earned the top ranking, and defending Pac-10 champion Stanford was picked at No. 2.

Rangers sign Borbon

The Texas Rangers completed a deal with outfielder Julio Borbon Wednesday, signing the contract before the major league deadline. Borbon, the 35th overall pick in this year’s draft, will undergo a physical in Arlington, Texas, and then report to the Indians in Spokane. Borbon played at Tennessee.