Six Teams To Watch : Laguna Beach

Coach: Mike Soylular (sixth year).

1995: 17-1, 10-0 in the Pacific Coast League; lost in the first round of the Southern Section playoffs to Santa Margarita.

Key returners: Trevor Whalley, 6-4, outside hitter/middle blocker, Sr.; Ryan Harman, 5-8, setter, Sr.; James Kimball, 6-5, middle blocker, Sr.

Key newcomers: Blair Anderson, 6-0, outside hitter, Jr.; Aidan Leedom, 6-4, outside hitter, So.; Miles McGann, 6-4, setter, Fr.; Tyler Reynard, 6-0, outside hitter, So.; Jasun Weiner, 6-1, middle blocker, Jr.; Justin Westgard, 6-1, middle blocker, Sr.; Vlade Andric, 6-8, outside hitter, Sr.; Kai Bond, setter/defensive specialist, 5-8, Jr.

Outlook: Laguna Beach has its third European exchange student in three years, Andric, from Croatia. Last year it was 6-6 Peter Kodacsy and in 1994 it was 6-10 Szilard Kovacs, both from Hungary. Kodacsy is a freshman at Pepperdine and Kovacs is a sophomore at USC. Laguna Beach returns only one starter, Whalley, a first-team all-league selection last season. Andric should keep the Artists in the hunt for their 11th league title.