Laguna Beach Tops Capistrano Valley : Volleyball: Defending Division I-champion Artists make quick work of Cougars and roll into semifinals.

The Laguna Beach girls’ volleyball team moved a step closer to repeating as Southern Section Division I champions Tuesday night, and the Artists hardly even broke a sweat.

The third-seeded Artists needed only one hour five minutes to eliminate unseeded Capistrano Valley, 15-2, 15-10, 15-7, in a quarterfinal match at Laguna Beach.

“I was never comfortable the whole match,” Laguna Beach Coach Michael Soylular said. “It’s the CIF playoffs.

“We played well, no doubt, but we need to establish a middle attack. You can’t win CIF if you don’t establish the middle.”

Outside hitter Rachel Wacholder had 20 kills as the Artists (19-1) advanced to the semifinals against unseeded Newport Harbor (18-4). Laguna Beach swept Newport Harbor in a nonleague match earlier this season.

Laguna Beach had no trouble with Capistrano Valley, leading in every game and dominating with strong serving and good passing. The Artists built leads of 11-1 in the first game, 10-3 in the second game and 6-0 in the third game.

Wacholder, The Times Orange County Edition’s player of the year last season, took over in the final two games, finishing with six kills in the second game and eight in the third.

“You have to give Rachel credit,” Soylular said. “She has been spectacular all year.”

Soylular also was pleased with the play of some of his younger players.

Junior Hilary Kyle had nine kills and two aces, and sophomore Christy Collisson added three kills and an ace.

Sophomore Megan Garner, promoted from the junior varsity, had two aces, and sophomore Lisa Ravensberg added three kills and a block.

Shelly Smith had nine kills to lead Capistrano Valley (15-3).