PREP GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS : Mira Costa Ends Laguna Beach’s Season

It was a scenario the Laguna Beach High School girls’ volleyball team has become accustomed to.

Another trip to the Southern Section 5-A playoffs.

Another loss to Mira Costa.

Sixth-seeded Mira Costa, the defending Division 5-A champions, eliminated third-seeded Laguna Beach for the second consecutive year with a 15-12, 3-15, 15-4, 15-9 quarterfinal victory Tuesday night at Laguna Beach.

Cindy DeGarceau had 10 kills and Jennifer Smith added six kills and two blocks to lead a balanced attack for Mira Costa, which will meet El Toro in Thursday’s semifinals. El Toro handed Mira Costa (19-1) its only loss this season.

Ashley Wacholder had a game-high 19 kills for Laguna Beach (21-5). Rachel Wacholder added 11 kills and four aces.

Errors proved costly for Laguna Beach. Trailing, 13-12, in the first game, the Artists committed two hitting errors as Mira Costa pulled away for the victory.

The Artists came back in the second game, building a 12-3 lead and holding on for the victory. Rachel Wacholder had three kills and four aces in the game.

In the third game, Mira Costa capitalized on 12 Laguna Beach errors, building leads of 7-1 and 13-3. DeGarceau had four kills in the game.

Laguna Beach blew a 5-3 lead in the fourth and deciding game.

The Artists committed three hitting errors while falling behind, 9-7. Shannon Parke had three consecutive aces and Smith added another ace for Mira Costa down the stretch.

“We knew exactly what they were going to do against us,” Laguna Beach Coach Lance Stewart said. “They served us and we couldn’t pass it.

“We gave ourselves our own problems. We didn’t pass and we didn’t play smart.”