Laguna Beach Has Untimely Flashback in Semifinals

Laguna Beach was stumped by Los Angeles Notre Dame for the second time this year, falling to the Regals, 11-15, 15-8, 11-15, 15-7, 15-6, in Tuesday’s Division IV state championship semifinals.

Host Notre Dame defeated Laguna Beach in five games to win the Division IV-AA Southern Section title in November.

The Artists had the match in control when they went up, 2-1, after the third game, but seven unforced errors and sloppy play in the final two games opened the door for the top-seeded Regals (24-3).

The Laguna Beach seniors combined for seven of the 10 errors.

“We were waiting for someone to take over and no one did,” senior outside hitter Kellie Cramm said. “The team was looking for our seniors to step up and we didn’t do it. I think we were afraid to lose, instead of going out and playing to win.”

While Laguna Beach struggled with its passing in the final two games, Notre Dame was perfect. Junior setter Mari Bell and senior Heather Moiseve placed the ball all around the court, setting up senior outside hitter Alyssa Rylander (18 kills) and Sabreen Wilkes (13 kills).

“My girls haven’t lost their composure all year,” Notre Dame Coach Tom Brenner said. “But I have to give Laguna Beach all the compliments in the world, to come into this place. . . . They could have mailed it in, but they came to play.”

In the final game, the Artists tied the score, 4-4, but when Notre Dame took the lead on an unforced error, the Regals never looked back, winning the match when Laurelee Neptune hit the ball into the net.

“We made too many unforced errors,” Laguna Beach’s Shawn Patchell said. “We have a lot of experience out there and they are the ones that let it go. Our passing went downhill and we got pretty predictable.”

The Artists (25-12) rallied from a 9-5 deficit in the first game, taking a 14-11 lead on two kills and a block by sophomore Sarah Salem. On the third game point, Notre Dame made one of its few errors, two-hitting the ball and giving the Artists the game.

In Game 2, it was Notre Dame that came back, trailing, 6-1, at one point, before tying the score, 8-8. Moiseve served out the final eight points of the game, tying the match at 1-1.

Notre Dame will play Menlo on Saturday at Cypress College for the state title.