VOLLEYBALL ROUNDUP : Laguna Beach Awakens in Time to Beat El Toro

Fourth-seeded Laguna Beach started sluggishly, but finished with a flourish to defeat El Toro, 10-15, 15-13, 15-9, 15-7, in a Southern Section Division I boys’ volleyball playoff match Friday at Laguna Beach High.

Laguna Beach advanced to the second round to play Redondo Beach Redondo Union, a 15-4, 15-11, 15-8 winner over Hawthorne, at a site to be determined.

Laguna Beach outside hitters Dan Styles, who had 23 kills, and Beau Bianchi, who had 15 kills, led a balanced attack that eventually overwhelmed the taller Chargers.

The Artists (15-2) struggled with their passing in Game 1, and El Toro, led by Ryan Mariano’s six kills in the game, took advantage by scoring eight of the last nine points to win, 15-10.

El Toro was still in control of the match, leading Game 2, 13-9.

But a hitting error by El Toro’s Mariano, who had a team-high 16 kills, and a spike by Bianchi, helped the Artists pull even, 13-13.

Mariano hit long again, then Styles put away a free ball to give Laguna Beach a 15-13 victory in Game 2.

From there, Laguna Beach’s offense began to click. Setter David Berney had 39 of his 61 assists in the final two games, setting a variety of players to keep El Toro’s defense off-balance.

Nate Ellis had 11 kills and Madhava Davis added 10 for the Artists, who were tied 9-9 in Game 3 before scoring the final six points.

Laguna Beach wasted no time in Game 4, taking a 5-0 lead, then closed out the match by scoring four of the final five points.

Jacobson had nine kills and nine blocks for the Chargers.