By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor
Facing its most formidable opponent all season, the Palisades High girls volleyball team took a “nothing to lose” attitude into last Wednesday’s CIF Southern California Regional Division I first-round match against Huntington Beach.
Palisades was crowned state champion in 1979 and the 16th-seeded Dolphins were trying to become the first City Section program to win a regional playoff match in the current format, but instead they saw their season come to an end in a 25-12, 25-11, 25-18 loss to the top-seeded Oilers, who reached the quarterfinals of the Southern Section Division I playoffs.
Photo: Steve Galluzzo
“Our goal was to win City and in a way I wish the season had ended there, but this was a chance to play together one last time,” senior opposite hitter Emma Sims said. “It hit me on the way here that this was probably going to be my last high school match. We knew they were good and could win the whole thing because Lakewood swept us in their tournament and Huntington Beach beat Lakewood.”
Coach Carlos Gray gave credit to a worthy adversary but questioned the new state playoff format which placed Palisades last and Granada Hills 15th despite being the City’s first Open Division finalists.
“All they did was add eight teams,” Gray said. “It just shows the lack of respect for our section.”
Four Players Make All-City Team
All-City girls volleyball teams were announced last week and four Palisades High players made the Open Division squad.
Senior middle blocker Angel Echipue and junior outside/opposite hitter Angelina Burton made the first team while senior opposite hitter Emma Sims and sophomore outside hitter/middle blocker Alex Laita made the second team.
Senior setter/right side hitter Sarah Hagge from inaugural Open Division champion Granada Hills was selected Player of the Year.
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