Valor Christian’s Elarton named Gatorade Colorado Player of the Year

Valor Christian’s Chloe Elarton was named the Gatorade Colorado Volleyball Player of the Year on Thursday after leading the Eagles to their third straight Class 5A state title.

The senior setter totaled 917 assists this fall as the orchestrator of a deadly Eagles (28-1) attack that lost just once in the past three seasons. The Georgia Bulldogs commit added 315 digs, 89 kills, 66 blocks and 52 aces as the 71st-ranked prospect in the nation by PrepVolleyball.

Away from the court, Elarton carries a weighted 4.16 grade-point average and has volunteered for numerous organizations. Among them, she has given time to MANNA community resource center, supported at-risk adolescents through Movement 5280 and served Project 25:35, which feeds the hungry.

In addition, she’s been a three-year volunteer for Project Angel Heart supporting the homeless and coached youth basketball and soccer teams.

Vonn 10th fastest in practice for first World Cup downhill in six years

ST. ANTON, Austria>> Ski great Lindsey Vonn has been 10th fastest in a training run in Austria for her first World Cup downhill race in six years. Vonn completed the two-kilometer Karl Schranz course in St. Anton 2.55 seconds behind Federica Brignone of Italy on Thursday.

She made her World Cup comeback three weeks ago in a super-G with a titanium knee at age 40. Vonn was clocked at close to 109 kph (68 mph) on a fast section of the course where she won a downhill in December 2007. A second practice is planned on Friday before the race on Saturday.

Guerrero, Blue Jays agree at $28.5 million; Valdez, Astros agree on $18M deal

NEW YORK>> Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Toronto Blue Jays avoided a salary arbitration hearing when the first baseman agreed to a $28.5 million, one-year contract on the day players and teams were to exchange proposed figures.

Houston left-hander Framber Valdez also reached a deal, an $18 million, one-year contract. Guerrero and Valdez can become free agents after the World Series.

Guerrero, a son of Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero, won a $19.9 million salary last year in a record high for an arbitration decision when a panel picked his figure rather than the Blue Jays’ $18.05 million offer.

Habib makes history as 1st Lebanese player in a Grand Slam men’s singles draw

MELBOURNE, Australia>> Hady Habib isn’t likely to find anything too daunting at the Australian Open now that he’s become the first Lebanese player in the Open era to reach a Grand Slam men’s singles draw.

He advanced through three rounds of the qualifying at Melbourne Park, winning his third match in a tiebreaker 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (8) over Clement Chidekh of France on Thursday to secure a place in the main draw of the tournament that starts Sunday. .

Everton fires manager Dyche hours before a game

Everton has fired manager Sean Dyche in the first big call by its new American owners. The team is two spots above the relegation zone in the Premier League. Everton announced the move just hours before hosting third-tier Peterborough in the FA Cup third round. Everton won 2-0.

— Staff and wire reports