The decisive manner in which Palisades dispatched previously undefeated Van Nuys in the semifinals of the City volleyball playoffs Tuesday night left no doubt it was better. Now, the Dolphins need one more win to prove they are the best. Aided by 12 aces, top-seeded Palisades (16-1) survived a scare in the second game to serve the fifth-seeded Wolves off the court, 25-13, 26-24, 25-14, and earn its spot in Saturday’s final against #2 Granada Hills at 5 p.m. at Roybal Learning Center in Los Angeles. Granada Hills swept West Valley league rival Chatsworth, 25-22, 25-17, 25-17, in Tuesday’s other semifinal. Palisades defeated the Highlanders to win the City title in 2003, but that was then, this is now. “We beat Granada Hills in pool play at our tournament but they ended up coming back to win the whole thing,” Van Nuys Coach Dave Chae said. “Palisades is an excellent team too. It should be a great final. I won’t be surprised of it goes five.” Laura Goldsmith had 18 kills and Tait Johnson added 11 digs and three aces as the Dolphins overcame a 22-18 deficit to steal Game 2. “In the huddle we talked about not letting any calls get to us, not letting any mistakes get to us. Just play our game and we can come back,” Johnson said. Emily Cristiano’s crosscourt kill nudged Palisades in front, 25-24, and Goldsmith ended the game on the next point by smacking a winner down the line. So far, the Dolphins are making this title run almost as easy as last year’s when they reeled off 15 straight games en route to the championship. “Winning the first one was fun but it’s great the second time around too,” Johnson said. After easy wins in the first two rounds, Coach Chris Forrest expected a much tougher quarterfinal match. He was right. The Dolphins got all they could handle from Western League archrival Venice last Thursday but prevailed 25-16, 25-20, 19-25, 25-21. The ninth-seeded Gondos (12-4) became the first team to take a game off Palisades in the playoffs but their coach Allen Hunt predicted a Dolphins’ repeat: “Chris has a great team. The volleyball I.Q. of his girls is superior to everyone else in the City.” Junior Hannah Fagerbakke said it helped that the Dolphins were facing a familiar foe: “It’s an advantage knowing their strengths and weaknesses but I was both excited and nervous to play them. We needed to get huge leads and we dug too big a hole that cost us the third game.” Senior middle blocker Kelsey Keil made seven solo blocks, one of which gave Palisades the lead for good in Game 4. “We were a more experienced team last year but I think our passing and blocking are better this year.” Directions to Roybal LC: PCH south to 10 east. Merge onto 110 north. Take 101 north exit toward Hollywood/I-5/Santa Ana/I-10/San Bernardino. Take exit toward I-10/San Bernardino/I-5/Santa Ana, exit at Temple. Turn right onto Temple. Turn left onto Boylston. Boylston becomes Colton. School is at 1200 Colton Street.

For the first time since he began coaching the Pali Blues in January, Charlie Naimo had to experience the feeling of losing a soccer game. While it isn’t a feeling he wants to get used to, Naimo was rather matter of fact about his team’s 1-0 loss in last Wednesday night’s exhibition against the Chinese U-20 national team at Stadium by the Sea. The Blues were a bit rusty and not at full strength, having not played a real game since winning the W-League title in August. Still, those who came to watch were treated to a fast-paced game that featured crisp one-touch passing, outstanding goaltending and end-to-end rushes by both sides. The difference was a goal by midfielder Zhang Rui off a corner kick by Li Lin in the 86th minute, just four minutes from full time. China’s top scorer, Luo Jia Hui, was injured on a partial breakaway early in the second half and did not return. “I’m very happy to have scored the goal,” Rui said through an interpreter. “I had the confidence to do it that late in the game.” The friendly was a farewell match of sorts for Pali Blues players who will be moving on to the newly-formed Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS). “My subbing patterns would’ve been different in a league or championship game but all credit to China,” Naimo said. “We didn’t deserve to beat a team so game sharp and headed for the World Cup. Our goal was to have fun and get everybody on the pitch. Everything was going according to plan until that corner kick found its way into the back of the net, but this is the type of game I’m happy to use up our bad luck on.” For the over 400 fans who turned out on a brisk November night, the game was a chance to cheer on many Blues players who were so integral to the team’s inaugural season in 2008 that concluded with the Blues winning the W-League championship in Virginia Beach. “It was a great back-and-forth game with very few chances either way, and it had 0-0 written all over it,” Naimo continued. “It was obvious that our former players had been trying to keep up with the game in preparation for the new league or combine, but it is impossible without games. We as a group were happy to provide the Chinese team with a world class game.” China’s Coach Zhang Guilai also praised his team’s opponent, saying the Blues were much better than the U-20 Mexican team they tied 1-1: “They are faster, more aggressiv and have better teamwork. It took us a few minutes to adjust to the speed of the [artificial) surface but I think we overcame the jet lag quite well.” Looking every bit like a team ready top challenge for the World Cup, which begins Friday in Chile, the Chinese took it right to the Blues from the opening kickoff. “This is a completely different team but we still have the highest standards,” said Blues midfielder Jill Oakes, ice packs taped around both knees. “My touch was a little rusty. I started getting it back by the end of the game.” Oakes was selected second overall in the WPS General Draft by the Bay Area–one of nine Blues players headed for the next level. Matilda Sarah Walsh was selected by Sky Blue FC in the WPS International Draft, and Australian Collette McCallum was taken by Sky Blue FC as a discovery player. At halftime of Wednesday’s exhibition, two local U16 girls AYSO teams, Pali 1 and Pali 2, played a spirited scrimmage. Then, the Blues took the field and began controlling the tempo for the first time, creating several corner kick chances. “I was surprised by some of the breaks we caught,” Oakes said. After beating the Blues, the Chinese departed for Chile, where they take on Argentina, France and the United States in the first round of the U-20 Women’s World Cup. In their past two appearances, China’s U-20s have claimed two silver medals. In 2006 they fell to Korea DPR in Moscow in what was the first U-20 Women’s World Cup. In 2004 they reached the championship game against Germany in the U-19 World Cup in Thailand.

With a winning record and a possible playoff berth on the line Friday afternoon against Hamilton the Palisades High varsity football team seemed poised for a big game. Instead, the Dolphins played lackluster football, failing to score in a 7-0 defeat to the host Yankees’their first shutout loss since being blanked by Venice last November. It was a disappointing end to a breakthrough season, but Head Coach Kelly Loftus chose to accentuate the positive: “This team laid the cornerstone for the new direction this program is going. We won four more games than last year and I’m proud of all the seniors for moving us in the right direction.” The result was bittersweet for senior running back Khalid Stevens, who saw his high school career end abruptly despite surpassing the 1,000-yard rushing mark. “I’m satisfied, we did have a good season, but our goal was to win league,” said Stevens, who finished with 1,090 yards and 10 touchdowns in 10 games. “We knocked on the door but we didn’t break it down. As for myself, milestones are nice but my goal was to help the team win.” Stevens scored on a 77-yard run in the second quarter but Palisades (5-5, 2-3) was called for holding’the 10th time this season the Dolphins had a touchdown nullified by a penalty. Hamilton (5-5, 2-3) ended the stalemate when quarterback Donnie Duncan’s pass floated just beyond the reach of Palisades cornerback Preon Morgan and into the arms of receiver Reggie Mitchell in the Dolphins’ end zone with 61 seconds left. Sophomore quarterback Conner Preston tried to rally the Dolphins in the final minute but Tyquion Ballard was bumped out of bounds short of a first down on fourth and long. Despite finishing in a three-way tie for third place in the Western League the Dolphins were not selected for the City Section’s 16-team upper division playoffs. “We were a long shot to get in even if we won big,” Loftus said. “Losing just clinched it. Sort of like the BCS–there’s too many teams we had to jump over.” Frosh/Soph Zack Hernandez scored on a 35-yard reverse and Willie Anderson added a 5-yard touchdown run but Palisades lost its fourth straight game, 18-12, last Thursday to finish 5-5.

The first Palisades Charter High School traditions dinner honored the American Legion last Friday not only for its support of baseball, but also for contributing money to the swimming pool and supporting the high school. Local businessman Dick Traweek acted as emcee for the event at the American Legion Hall, which included ex-NBA star/broadcaster Keith Erickson, singer/songwriter Jerry Fuller, a silent auction and a chance to honor Palisades’ high school team, winner of five consecutive Western League titles. “This is exactly what it takes to make our public schools great,” PaliHi Executive Director Amy Held said. “This is the next level for us to get more professional about fundraising. This is the edge the private schools have held over us.” Those interested in the baseball program hoped to raise enough money to upgrade the dugouts and the fencing as well as planning long term for a possible turf field. Traweek introduced varsity baseball coach Mike Voelkel as “a coach who has taught the players to be a team. He teaches the game with grace and dignity and teaches them how to play hard.” Voelkel recognized the five players who made All-League last year: shortstop Julian Barzilli (batted .320 in league), left-handed pitcher Buck Traweek (6-2, with a 1.04 ERA in league), second baseman David Skolnik (batted .380), outfielder Brett Whalen (.520) and ace pitcher Jon Moscot, who was voted the league’s Most Valuable Player after posting a 9-2 record with a 1.19 ERA and a .410 batting average. American Legion Commissioner Bob Ryan, who oversaw the summer program and has been involved with the PaliHi team since 1992, was honored for his hard work. Erickson was a member of John Wooden’s 1964 and 1965 NCAA championship basketball teams at UCLA, played on the 1964 USA Olympic Volleyball team and was a member of the Los Angeles Lakers’ 1972 championship team that won an NBA-record 33 straight games. He told stories about legendary Lakers’ play-by-play announcer Chick Hearn, his broadcast partner for eight years. “Doing color commentary with Chick was a challenge,” Erickson said. “I could barely get a word or two in edgewise before he moved on.” Erickson recalled one of the two times he saw Hearn rendered speechless. Hearn was interviewing Hall of Fame forward Elgin Baylor after a game and presented Baylor with a gift certificate to a clothing store from a new sponsor. Baylor, still in uniform with a towel around his neck, looked at Hearn who was dressed in a suit and tie and said, “You keep it, you need it worse than I do.” In addition to Baylor, Erickson also played with legendary center Wilt Chamberlain. “He was seven feet, one inch tall, 275 pounds, a Size 14 shoe and all muscle,” Erickson said of Chamberlain. “He was notorious for his strength. He went bowling, palmed the ball and bowled the entire game like that.” Erickson then spoke about how his coach at El Segundo Community College recommended him to UCLA coaches, who offered him half scholarships for basketball and baseball, not wanting to grant a full scholarship to an “unknown.” “When I came out of high school I didn’t have a scholarship, I didn’t have a dream,” he said. “Don’t ever think you can’t do something because you never know what’s going to happen.” Next, the audience was entertained by Fuller, winner of 28 platinum and gold records. Fuller played guitar and sang songs he wrote like “Travelin’ Man” (made famous by Ricky Nelson) and “I’ve Been There” sung by O.C. Smith. Fuller said that when he was a record producer for Columbia, he discovered Gary Puckett and the Union Gap in a San Diego bowling alley lounge. He wrote many of their most famous hits, including “Young Girl.” The silent auction, which was organized by Palisadian Karen Jeffers, brought in more than $14,000 for the baseball program; the money will be used for tournament entry fees, field upkeep and insurance.

Palisadian Walker Kehrer, a senior at Brentwood School and one of the nation’s premiere prep tennis players, has signed a national letter of intent to attend Stanford University next September on an athletic scholarship and play for Cardinal Coach John Whitlinger. “I am thrilled that Walker is going to be a part of the Stanford Tennis Program,” Whitlinger said. “He is an excellent tennis player, and even more important, a better person. I look forward to him making significant contributions to the team in both singles, and doubles.” NCAA signing week, which runs from November 12-19 annually, is the first opportunity for top recruits in all sports across the nation to officially make a commitment of which college they will attend. “Stanford has the top tennis program in America, and more national titles than anyone,” Kehrer said. “It’s been my top choice for a long time, so it’s a dream come true. Everyone at Brentwood has been so supportive. Dave Velasquez and Keith Sarkisian are huge tennis supporters and have been great, along with Lee Herzog, my coach at Brentwood and my college counselor Kevin Newman. I missed so many classes because of tennis, I have to thank every teacher I’ve ever had for allowing me to make up the work.” Kehrer is rated a Blue Chip recruit in the Tennis Recruiting Network, where his profile page was one of those most viewed by collegiate coaches across the country. A maximum of 25 players in the United States achieve Blue Chip status. Kehrer was ranked #1 in Southern California in the 16-year-old division and has been ranked as high as #1 nationally in doubles. Playing #1 singles at Brentwood, he led the Eagles team to a CIF championship in May and will attempt a repeat in the spring. He grew up playing at the Palisades Tennis Center. He is also a stellar student with a 4.4 cumulative weighted GPA at Brentwood.

In a rematch of last year’s City Section girls’ tennis final, Taft turned the tables on Palisades last Wednesday, earning three out of four singles points to pull out a 4-3 quarterfinal victory at the Palisades Recreation Center. These were not the same teams that had met for the championship the previous two seasons. Each lost its best singles player to graduation and both have new coaches. The sixth-seeded Toreadors, however, played the big points better and ended Palisades’ three-year reign in abrupt fashion. “I stuck to the same lineup I’ve used all along, we just weren’t firing on all cylinders today,” said Dolphins’ Coach Sean Passan, who took over for Bud Kling after last year’s final, which Palisades won 5-2. “It could’ve gone either way, but where we stumbled was at No. 1 doubles and No. 3 singles. I expected us to win both of those.” Two-time City Individual champion Katy Nikolova, who graduated last fall, showed up to cheer on her former teammates. But unfortunately for the Dolphins, she wasn’t allowed on the court. Taft, meanwhile, tied for third in the West Valley League without Sarah Cohen, the second best player in the City a year ago. “This is the first time we’ve been able to win a doubles set against them,” said Taft’s former coach Tom Wright, merely an interested spectator this time, having stepped down following last year’s playoffs. “I figured we had to sweep singles but it didn’t turn out that way.” Amy Gore and Elizabeth Silvers won, 6-3, 6-4, at No. 2 doubles and Ashley Navas paired with Marina Sterngold to win by the same score at No. 3 doubles for the third-seeded Dolphins (13-5), who failed to reach at least the semifinals for the first time since 2000. Yuliya Maystruk clinched the victory for Taft (10-5) with a 6-0, 6-1 win over Audrey Ashraf at No. 1 singles. However, the doubles duo of Jordan Hutkin and Joanna Sterngold (Marina’s cousin) earned the key point for the Toreadors, rallying past Palisades’ top tandem of Rose Schlaff and Malina Loeher, 4-6, 7-5, 6-2. Passan’s “Player of the Match” honor went to freshman Perri Zaret, who outlasted Taft’s Rebecca Mesropyan, 7-5, 3-6, 6-4, at No. 4 singles. By that time, however, the outcome was already decided. “Given where we started I’m very proud of the girls for making it this far,” Passan said. “It’s not the way this program is accustomed to ending the season but there’s a lot to build on for next year.” For at least some of the Dolphins the season isn’t over. The City Individual tournament begins December 1 at Balboa Sports Center in Encino.