Palisades outside hitter Enzo Torres (facing) hammers a kill over Westlake blockers Colin Jones (left) and Kyle Lungren in Monday’s intersectional match. The Dolphins won, 31-29, 25-17, 25-15. Photo: Steve Galluzzo
If Palisades High boys volleyball coach Carlos Gray had any concern that his team would suffer a hangover after its first loss of the season his fears were put to rest Monday night against visiting Westlake. The Dolphins were firing on all cylinders and after nearly letting a sizeable lead slip away in the first set they prevailed, 31-29, 25-17, 25-15, toimprove to 11-1 and establish momentum heading intotoday’s Western League showdown with University.
“A loss is a loss but we needed a wake-up call and I’m glad someone humbled us early,” senior setter Blake Pecsok admitted, referring to the Dolphins’ first loss at the hands of Eagle Rock in the semifinals of the Venice Invitational on March 4. “We’re not the tallest group of guys so we pride ourselves on being a good defensive team and it showed today. That’s a good team, but we played really well and now we just have to keep getting better.”
Palisades led 24-21 in the first set but could not close it out until back-to-back-to-back kills by Alex Brew, Pierce Bergstein and Josh Lande. The Dolphins built a huge lead in the third set and Emmette Whitaker’s ace ended it. The Dolphins beat Venice in four last Thursday and head to Santa Barbara on Saturday for the Dos Pueblos Invitational.
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