Laguna Beach’s Blanton Picks Pepperdine

Dain Blanton of Laguna Beach High School, one of the top volleyball players in Orange County, has signed a letter of intent with Pepperdine.

Blanton, the Orange County coaches’ volleyball player of the year, chose Pepperdine over UC Irvine and UC Santa Barbara.

Blanton, a 6-foot-5 middle blocker, averaged about 33 kills a match this season, leading the Artists to the 4-A quarterfinals. He had a career-high 46 kills in a five-game victory over Huntington Beach April 30.

Blanton opted to play volleyball instead of basketball in college. He averaged 19 points a game last season, leading the Artists to a 23-7 record and the Southern Section 2-A basketball finals.

Blanton will join El Toro’s Mike Shannon, who will walk on at Pepperdine.