Southern Section Volleyball Playoffs : Laguna Beach Defeats University

Considering the big problems facing it Tuesday, namely University High School’s 6-foot 8-inch Stefan Mumaw, 6-5 Pat Ferrell and 6-5 Scott Leslie, the Laguna Beach boys’ volleyball team figured that its best offense would be a good defense.

It was. After a slow start, Laguna Beach defeated University, 15-17, 16-14, 15-6, 15-7, in a 4-A Southern Section wild-card match at Laguna Beach.

University won the first game, as Mumaw, Ferrell and Leslie dominated at the net. Mumaw and Ferrell combined for 10 blocks in that game, and Leslie had 7 kills and 3 blocks.

University gained a 4-0 lead in the second game, with Mumaw getting two blocks and two kills. But then the tone started to change. Balls that previously had fallen for points were kept in play by Laguna Beach.

For instance, a dink by Mumaw looked certain to hit the floor, but Sean Stafford saved it. With the ball still low, Mark Wells managed a one-hand pass to no one in particular. Broc Stephens took it from there, whipping the ball one-handed over the net. A stunned University did not react well and Laguna Beach won the point to tie it, 14-14.

“We knew against a team like University, we’d have to increase defensive intensity,” said Lance Stewart, Laguna Beach coach. “We’ve started slow all year. I think they realized in that second game what they were going to have to do.”

The Artists did it in games three and four. As University’s passing deteriorated, all facets of the Laguna Beach game seemed to improve. The Artists’ trio of Stafford, Stephens and Malcolm Gapp dominated the net. Stephens had 10 kills in the last two games, Stafford had 7 and Gapp 5.

The victory gives Laguna Beach (16-3), the Pacific Coast League’s No. 2 entry, one day to prepare for its first-round game against North Torrance Thursday.

“All I know about North Torrance is that it’s in Torrance,” Stewart said.

In other 4-A wild-card matches:

Corona del Mar 3, Laguna Hills 1--Clark Welton had seven aces to lead host Corona del Mar to a 12-15, 15-4, 15-3, 15-5 victory. Corona del Mar plays at No. 3-seeded Edison in the first round Thursday. Matt Herrington had 21 kills for Corona del Mar, which played without Tom Schriber, a 6-foot 4-inch middle blocker. Schriber injuried his left knee Sunday.

Huntington Beach 3, San Clemente 1--Greg Ryan had 15 kills as Huntington Beach rallied from a loss in the first game to win, 10-15, 15-9, 15-4, 15-13, at Huntington Beach. Jason Crump had 48 assists for Huntington Beach (12-4), which will play at Woodbridge Thursday night.

Marina 3, El Toro 1--Don Browning had 18 kills to lead host Marina (14-3) to a 15-7, 15-7, 13-15, 15-7 victory. Doug Partis had 15 kills, Duane Camerom had 13 kills and 8 blocks and setter Doug Buehring had 54 assists for Marina. Marina advances to play San Marcos (Santa Barbara) Thursday in the first round.