Goldsmith is City Player of the Year

The accolades keep pouring in for the Palisades High girls’ volleyball team after its second consecutive City Section championship in November. Now, however, they’re getting personal. As was the case last season, the Dolphins were well represented on the All-City team, with senior captain Laura Goldsmith being selected Player of the Year. She was also voted Western League Player of the Year, making her the second straight Dolphins’ player to garner both honors (following three-year setter Jenna McCallister). Goldsmith, an outside hitter, led Palisades in kills and was the focal point in the Dolphins’ attack all season. Joining Goldsmith on the All-City First Team were junior setter Lauren Gustafson (also First Team All-League) and junior libero Tait Johnson (also First Team All-League). Making the All-City Second Team and All-League First Team was senior middle blocker Kelsey Keil. All-League Second Team picks included senior middle blocker Kelly Yazdi, senior outside hitter Chelsea Scharf, junior defensive specialist Sam Jaffe and junior outside hitter Emily Cristiano. Earning City Coach of the Year honors back-to-back was Palisades Coach Chris Forrest, who has rejuvenated the Dolphins’ once-dominant program, accumulating a stellar 48-15 record (including tournaments) over the past two seasons. Palisades repeated despite losing six key players to graduation and having a new setter (Gustafson). But Gustafson flourished in the role while Keil, Yazdi and junior Hannah Fagerbakke shored up the middle and Goldsmith, Johnson and Cristiano provided the offense. The Dolphins beat West Valley League winner Granada Hills in four games to win the crown this year–12 months after sweeping Western League rival Venice for their first City title since 2003. In May, Forrest also led the boys’ squad to its first City title since 1998.