PREP VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS : Artists Study Well, Beat Mater Dei

Laguna Beach did its homework and it paid off as the third-seeded Artists had little trouble defeating Mater Dei, 16-14, 15-3, 15-10, in a Southern Section Division I first-round girls’ volleyball playoff match Thursday at Laguna Beach High.

“We scouted them when they played their wild-card match so we knew what to expect,” Laguna Beach Coach Michael Soylular said.

Rose Kuhn had 11 kills to lead a balanced attack for Laguna Beach (21-3), which advanced to Tuesday’s quarterfinals to play Huntington Beach, a 16-14, 15-7, 15-7 winner over Corona del Mar.

Although Mater Dei’s Roberta Gehlke had a match-high 19 kills, the Artists won with better ball control and a strong attack from the middle.

“We knew Roberta would be their bread and butter,” Soylular said. “Although we have a young team, we have a lot of playoff experience. That really helped us.”

Setter Christy Collison, a three-year starter, had 32 assists for the Artists. Middle blocker Lisa Ravensberg, a returning starter, had nine kills and four blocks and teammate Michelle Christ finished with eight kills and four blocks.

Laguna Beach took a 9-2 lead in Game 1 before the Monarchs (15-5) rallied. Abigail Daniels’ block drew Mater Dei even, 14-14, but the Artists quickly closed out the game.

Ravensberg blocked Adams for a side out, then after Gehlke netted a spike to make it 15-14 Laguna Beach, Christ blocked Gehlke’s spike attempt for game point.

“We had our chances in the first game,” Mater Dei Coach Pete West said.

Laguna Beach demolished the Monarchs in Game 2 and took command in Game 3. Two errors by Gehlke pushed the Artists’ lead to 14-9, but Mater Dei didn’t quit.

Laguna Beach needed six match points before Mater Dei’s Laurie Layton, who had 34 assists, set the ball too close to the net for Gehlke and the error ended the match.