Dolphins Spike Uni in Three

Even without All-City hitter Alex Lunder in its lineup, the Palisades High girls volleyball team was a contender for the City Section title. Now that Lunder is back on the floor the Dolphins may just be the team to beat. Palisades certainly played that way on Monday, needing just over 35 minutes to dispatch visiting University, 25-6, 25-11, 25-9. Lunder pounded eight kills and showed little rust in her second full match back from a sprained ankle injury that had sidelined her for a month. That bodes well for the Dolphins heading into today’s showdown at first-place Venice which will likely determine the Western League champion. “I think we’re playing really well,” Lunder said. “We beat Venice in their tournament [September 22] but I’m not sure how much that will count. The deciding factor is to beat them now.” Venice beat Palisades in five games on October 1 in the first of two league meetings. The Gondos also have home-court advantage for today’s contest. “We have to beat them more decisively than they beat us,” Lunder said. “They beat us by two points in the fifth game so hopefully we can take them in four [games] this time.” Venice coach Allen Hunt knows what to expect from Palisades and doesn’t plan to change his lineup or do anything different. “No, we play our game no matter what,” Hunt said. “Sometimes it’s good enough, sometimes it’s not. When we take care of our side of the court we’re fine.” Outside hitter Laura Goldsmith had nine kills and Teal Johnson had four blocks for the Dolphins, who raced to early leads in each game against the Wildcats and rotated players in and out constantly to keep everyone sharp. Palisades hosted Santa Monica in an intersectional match on Wednesday (result unavailable at press time) to make up a match that was postponed in September. As well as the Dolphins’ varsity is playing, the junior varsity looks even more unstoppable. Pali’s JV squad is undefeated this season and won the Sylmar Tournament last weekend in dominating fashion. The Dolphins beat Lancaster, Granada Hills and Eagle Rock in pool play (winning seven of eight games in the process), then beat L.A. Baptist in the quarterfinals and Gabrielino in the semifinals before routing host Sylmar in the finals.