PREP NOTES : Wacholder Opts to Attend Colorado to Play Volleyball

Laguna Beach’s Rachel Wacholder, Orange County’s top high school girls’ volleyball player, has orally committed to attend Colorado next year.

Wacholder, a 5-foot-8 outside hitter and The Times Orange County player of the year last season, chose Colorado over Pepperdine, Duke, UCLA, Illinois, Notre Dame and Washington.

Colorado, which started its program in 1986, is considered one of the nation’s up-and-coming teams. The Buffaloes were 25-10 and 10-2 in the Big Eight last season, finishing second to Nebraska. They are currently 10-3 and ranked 15th in the Tachikara coaches poll.

“I wanted to go somewhere I could play and contribute right away,” Wacholder said. “I wanted to go somewhere it was pretty, because I love being outdoors.”

Wacholder is hitting .600 and averaging 30 kills a match for Laguna Beach, 7-0 and ranked second in Orange County.

She led the Artists to the Southern Section 5-A championship last season and was a member of the Orange County Volleyball club team that won the 18-and-under division at the prestigious UC Davis tournament last summer.

“Our offense is similar to Colorado in how Rachel will be used,” Laguna Beach Coach Mike Soylular said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if she started next year.”