Pali Volleyball Keeps Climbing

There’s plenty of fight in the Palisades High boys volleyball team. Over the weekend, the Dolphins traveled to La Jolla for the La Jolla Beach City Invitational’and things didn’t quite go according to plan. Pali went 1-2 on the tournament’s opening day and the team’s best player, senior Denton Van Duzer, sprained his ankle, forcing him out of the rest of the tournament. But on Saturday, the Dolphins fought back. They won all four of their matches in the bronze division, including wins over strong volleyball schools Ramona (from San Diego) and Sanger (from Fresno) to win the bronze. Then, on Monday, Pali traveled to Venice for its fifth league match of the season and despite the quick turnover, took down the Gondoliers in convincing fashion, 25-17, 25-11 and 25-16. ‘The team really came together (in La Jolla) but we were definitely a little tired coming in (today),’ head coach Chris Forrest said after the win over Venice. ‘I was a little worried about our energy level, but we stayed strong.’ For the most part, the Dolphins defeated Venice without any real challenge. In the opening set, they took a commanding 17-8 lead. The Gondoliers managed to cut the deficit to 17-12, but they wouldn’t get any closer before Pali closed out the set. Then, in the second, Pali miscues put the Dolphins down early, 4-2. But with senior middle Jayant Subrahmanyam serving, Pali strung together five straight points to take a 7-5 lead. Venice kept it close and trailed, 15-9, but powerful striking from junior outside hitter Alex Frapech helped the Dolphins end the set on a 10-2 run. The third set stayed closer and was tied at 12-12, but Pali overwhelmed Venice with a 13-4 run to finish the match. With the win, the Dolphins extended their league record to 5-0. And with the eventual returns of Van Duzer and junior outside hitter Chance Earnest (who is also sidelined with an ankle injury), Pali’s future looks bright. ‘We’re an all-around strong team right now,’ Forrest said. ‘As soon as we get healthy, more good things are going to happen.’ The Dolphins played LACES at home yesterday (after the Post went to Press) and play at University next Monday and at Hamilton on Wednesday. Both games are at 4 p.m.