Palisades Highlands resident Caitlin Blosser was recently named Most Valuable Player at the United States Club Soccer Super Y North American Championships in Tampa, Florida. Her team, Real SoCal, took first place in its age group last Tuesday. Blosser led the squad in scoring with five goals and three assists. Real SoCal qualified to play in the Super Y North American Championships by winning the U-16 Coast Soccer Premier League title fall. Blosser is a team captain and starting center midfielder for Real SoCal, which also just won the U-16 Surf Cup Championship in San Diego over Thanksgiving weekend. Blosser’s play earned her a spot on the Cal South Olympic Development Program last summer. A sophomore at Brentwood School, Blosser plays on the Eagles’ varsity squad with fellow Palisadians Amanda Lisberger and Susie Dunner. She started at midfield as a freshman was named to the All-CIF second team and the All-Olympic League first team. Prior to Brentwood, Blosser attended Calvary Christian School.

Paul Revere Middle School’s varsity flag football team won the inaugural Pac-Six League championship November 18 at Culver City High, beating Culver City in the championship game. The Roughriders’ seventh- and eighth-grade squad finished the regular season 3-3, then went 3-0-1 during the day-long postseason tournament en route to the championship. Under the tutelage of Head Coach John Pusey, Revere’s squad consisted of eighth-graders Thomas Leary, Blake Bauer, Austin Visschedyk, Stephan Callas, Frank Fitzgerald, Max Groel, Jack Scharf, Brandon Chow, Ben Levine, Jeffrey Gaskin, Alex Johnson, Warren Satz, Jayant Subrahmanyam and Turner Hanley and seventh-graders Anwar Stetson, Kevin Rodriguez, Eric Jackson, John Lemoine and Nathaniel Sanchez. In the playoffs, John Lemoine threw six touchdown passes, Johnson had seven receptions, Scharf had a 60-yard interception return, Satz had a 60-yard punt return, Rodriguez had nine sacks, Bauer had eight sacks and Hanley made a diving touchdown catch.

A long-standing AYSO Region 69 tradition is sending soccer teams to a ‘Turkey Tournament’ over Thanksgiving weekend and the tradition continued this past Friday and Saturday as 11 Palisades/Brentwood teams participated in the Newbury Park Panther Shootout. Commissioner Debbie Held asks coaches in each division to pick a player, not necessarily based on skill, but one whose parents have volunteered way and above the call of duty. The teams are usually comprised of players from coaches, assistant coaches or ref families. The teams, which don’t always consist of the top ranked players in Region 69, compete against all-star teams in other regions. Although, according to AYSO regulations, all-star teams can’t be announced before playoffs, other regions bypass the rule by calling their team a tournament team. Competition is routinely tough, but for many of the Palisades players it gives them an opportunity to experience the rigor of tournament play. An additional disadvantage Palisades teams face is the Palisades usually only have two or three practices as a team before they go into the tournament against teams that have played together, sometimes, for years. As an extra to the regular tournament, the tournament also featured a separate penalty kick shoot-out. After each game, the teams participated in kicking penalty shots on the goal and unlike a regular tournament where a coach can pick his best players to shoot; each player on the roster had an opportunity to shoot. The team that overall got the most penalty shots received a prize. The U-10 boys sent three teams and all did well. Chris Kanoff’s U-10 boys’ teams were placed in a pool, where they encountered the two toughest teams in that age bracket: the Newbury A (all-star team) and the Agoura A team. Kanoff’s team managed to score goals against both teams in hard fought battles. The Agoura team went onto win the tournament. In the same division, Steve Kaplan’s team won two games, which was good enough for a tie for first in its pool but failed to advance because the tiebreaker was goals against and they were edged by one goal. Erik Pfahler’s team made it to the semifinals. Regulation ended in a 2-2 tie. Each team scored in overtime before Pali lost 7-6 on penalty kicks. The team then had 25 minutes to rest before its consolation game. ‘This marathon game sucked the energy out of the team,’ Pfahler said. ‘The kids had no energy left by the time we started the consolation game.’ Overall Pfahler’s team scored 22 goals in the tournament and gave up only six goals in five games. In the U-10 girls division, Pali sent two teams, one coached by Steve Coe and the other by Phil Pecsok both did well, considering that for many of the players it was a first tournament experience. The U-12 girl team coached by Steve Morris and Eric Waxman won one, tied one and lost one, which placed them third in their pool. Coaches TR Gregory and Tony Oliva had similar results with a second U-12 girls team finishing second in their pool. ‘The girls had a really great time, the setting was lovely and everyone walked away happy,’ U-12 parent Pam Apel said. ‘We had six girls who had not played tournament soccer before and in their first experience rose to the occasion.’ The U-12 boys coached by Tim Wilson and Ron Graham finishes second and third. Molly Milligan’s U-14 girls went 1-1-1 in pool play and missed narrowly missed the semifinals on goal differential. Ardi Nozari’s U-14 boys faced stiff competition that gave a preview of what players will encounter during the all-star tournament season.

The Palisades High boys varsity soccer team did not exactly start off on the right foot. The Dolphins were outhustled and outplayed throughout a 3-2 loss to Manual Arts in their season opener Monday at Stadium by the Sea. ‘As poorly as we played we still only lost by one goal,’ Pali Head Coach Dave Williams told his team afterwards. ‘Losing four All-City defenders to graduation hurts but we can play a lot better than what we showed today.’ Despite the score, the Toilers had a decisive advantage in shots, scoring chances and time of possession, using nift one-touch passing and countless give-and-goes to generate 15 shots on goal. Only stellar saves by senior goaltender Jose Roldan kept Palisades in the game. Junior forward Davis Lau scored the Dolphins’ first goal of the season on a header off of a cross from Osbaldo Garcia in the third minute of the second half to pull Palisades within 2-1. After Jose Herrera scored on a turnaround shot from 30 yards in the 72nd minute to increase Manual Arts’ lead to 3-1, Garcia scored on a direct free kick just before the final whistle to provide the final margin. ‘It wasn’t good,’ Garcia, a senior and assistant captain, said of Pali’s effort. ‘They were much better than they were last year. Our offense is going to come around, we just need to learn how to get the ball to the forwards.’ During Pali’s post-game talk, Williams complimented Garcia on his goal, which he curved over a four-man wall and into the upper left corner of the net from just outside the penalty area.

The entire cross country season boiled down to one race for Kristabel Doebel-Hickok. Since September, her goal has been to medal at the state finals meet and that is just what the Palisades High senior did last Saturday in Fresno. On the biggest stage and against the best competition, Doebel-Hickok ran her best race, completing the 5K course at Woodward Park in 18:11’good enough for ninth place in Division I. ‘I knew where I was at all times during the race,’ said Doebel-Hickok, who will run at Vanderbilt next year. ‘I was up against the very best runners and I did as well as I hoped I would.’ Doebel-Hickok actually crossed the finish line 10th but was bumped up a spot when the third-place finisher was disqualified for impeding another runner. The top 10 finishers medaled and qualified for this Saturday’s Footlocker Nationals at Mt. San Antonio College. Finishing three seconds ahead of Doebel-Hickok was City Section champion Katja Goldring of Hamilton. The winning time was 17:40. The last time two City runners medaled at the state meet was in 1998 when San Pedro’s Valerie Flores and North Hollywood’s Natalie Stein finished sixth and eighth, respectively. ‘Kristabel is so dedicated,’ PaliHi Coach Ron Brumel said. ‘It’s been real satisfying to watch her mature not only as a runner but as a person. To see someone cash in all of their chips and do everything right is great. There’s no way she wasn’t going to get that medal.’

Sailors Settle Old Score Against Parker

Cari Klein has coached the Marymount High volleyball team to plenty of victories this season. Perhaps none was as satisfying, however, as Tuesday night’s 25-23, 15-25, 25-21, 25-19 win over Francis Parker in the Regional Finals of the CIF Division IV state tournament. Parker, the San Diego Section Division IV champion, had beaten the Sailors in the Regional Finals the previous two years and those who know Klein know she does not take losing lightly. “The first year we played them we didn’t have our setter [Sam Selsky] and last year they were great and we had a lot of injuries,” said Klein, who lives in Pacific Palisades. “After two years of beating us I’m sure they felt they could come here and do it again.” Rather than intensify practices in the playoffs, Klein has allowed her players more time to rest. “We only practiced for half an hour yesterday,” she said. “Compared to what the girls are used to, that’s nothing.” Having led Marymount to a sixth Southern Section championship two weeks before, Klein admitted she expects her team to still be playing “in December,” meaning deep into the state tournament. “I had friends asking me to do things this week and I was like ‘We’ll see after Tuesday,'” Klein said. Despite dropping their first game since before the start of league play, the top-seeded Sailors (32-6) outplayed and outgutted a team that, until Tuesday, had seemed to have their number. “Going into the match we felt we were going to win,” senior defensive specialist and Palisadian Ali Hoffman said. “Even after they won a game we still felt we would win, we just had to play better.” Host Marymount squandered a six-point lead early in the first game but recovered just in time to win on a crosscourt kill by another Palisadian, Kelly Irvin. Game two was full of long, grueling rallies and memorable points but Parker took advantage of uncharacteristic rotation and serving errors by Marymount to even the match. In the third game, the Sailors changed their blocking schemes to defend 6’ 1″ senior outside hitter Cassidy Lichtman, who almost single-handedly beat Marymount last November. The Sailors also concentrated their own attack crosscourt. “We had three players [Irvin, Megan Tryon and Alex Ayers] with 16 kills each,” Klein said. “You’re not going to lose too often with that kind of balance.” Marymount took game three on a net violation and built an early lead in the fourth game. Irvin and Kayla Wilson combined to block Lichtman for a 24-18 lead and Ayers ended the match with a clean crosscourt kill two points later. “This is a really good feeling,” said Hoffman, whose older sister Lauren won three straight City Section titles at Palisades High from 1997-99 but never played for a state championship. “I came here for the volleyball. We haven’t made it [to state finals] since my freshman year.” Second-seeded Parker (28-3) won Division IV state titles in 2004 and 2005, ending Marymount’s run of four straight from 2000-03. The two teams met in the Torrey Pines tournament earlier in the season and Marymount won in four games. “I felt like that match was more one-sided,” Klein recalled. “The one game they got was basically a carryover from beating us last year.” Having avenged its last two postseason defeats, Marymount travels to play Northern Regional champion Sacramento Christian Brothers (41-5) in the state finals Saturday at noon on the campus of San Jose State University.

World’s No. 1 Doubles Team to Highlight PTC’s 10-Year Anniversary Celebration

If it’s true that the best things in life are free then the Palisades Tennis Center is the place to be this Sunday. In celebration of its 10th anniversary, Tennis Center staff have organized “Racquets, Stars and Guitars,” a family event chock full of world-class talent from sports and entertainment. Although the entire event is free, attendees are encouraged to donate old tennis rackets, which will be donated to underprivileged kids, Los Angeles Parks, Toys for Tots and after-school Tennis Programs. PTC staff are hoping to collect 1,000 rackets. If you don’t have any rackets, bring a toy. Headlining are Bob and Mike Bryan, the No. 1-ranked doubles team in the world, who will play an exhibition against fellow touring pros. Additionally, Grand Slam champion and former Palisadian Pam Shriver will be there with her husband George Lazenby (who played James Bond in “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service”). Actresses and frequent Palisades Tennis Center patrons Elisabeth Shue, Donna Mills, Camryn Manheim, Rae Dawn Chong and Melissa Rivers of the TV Guide Channel are also attending, as are comedian Jon Lovitz and Gavin Rossdale (lead singer of the rock band Bush). Local pro beach volleyball legends Sinjin Smith and Randy Stoklos will play an exhibition in the Rec Center gym. Born and raised in Southern California, the Bryans have dominated men’s tennis for the last five years and have won all four professional tennis Grand Slam tournaments: Wimbledon, the French Open, the Australian Open and the U.S. Open. They have shattered many other records, including reaching an unprecedented seven Grand Slam Finals in a row. They are just now in the prime of their careers. “The Bryan Brothers are now one of the top three or four attractions in all of pro tennis along with [Roger] Federer and [Andy] Roddick,” says John Muir, who runs Worldwide Tennis for Wilson Sporting Goods, one of the PTC event’s sponsors. “They only play in packed center court stadiums now and their autograph sessions are the most popular in tennis.” The Bryans’ rise to fame both on and off the tennis court has been meteoric. Born two minutes apart, they were both straight A students, No. 1-ranked national juniors and both received full-ride scholarships to Stanford, where they led their team to NCAA Titles both years they played before turning pro. Bob did the unthinkable in 1998, winning the NCAA singles, doubles and team competition all in the same year. Not only do the Bryans excel on the court, they are talented musicians as well. Their band plays rock concerts all over the world. Bob is a virtuoso on keyboard and a great producer and Mike was an accomplished drummer but switched to guitar because of wrist issues a couple of years ago. “These guys are flat-out talented musicians, great guys and incredible role models,” says Fender Musical Instruments Senior Vice President Richard McDonald (another event sponsor). “In my position, I get to see some great musicians and the Bryan’s hold their own as the real deal. They are genuinely passionate about their music and it shows.” The Bryans’ parents, Wayne and Kathy, were both tennis players and coaches. Kathy reached the quarterfinals of Wimbledon in 1965 and Wayne is a world-renowned announcer at many pro events, including the U.S. Open and Nasdaq-100 in Key Biscayne. He is also the author of “Raising Your Child To Be A Champion in Arts, Athletics and Academics.” Growing up they did not let their boys play each other in tournaments, so Bob and Mike took turns defaulting when they were scheduled. “Family was our first priority and we were not going to let any tennis match get in the way of that,” Wayne says. The Bryan Brothers, who are currently appearing in People Magazine’s “Sexiest People” issue, are now the driving force behind America’s recent success in Davis Cup, having compiled a 9-1 record. They each gave up promising singles careers because by making it to the doubles final each week, they could never arrive on time for the singles qualifier at the following weeks’ tournament. Collectively they have wins over No. 3-ranked Nicolay Davydenko, No. 4-ranked James Blake, Tim Henman, Robbie Ginepri, Taylor Dent and Mardy Fish. Together they made doubles one of the most heavily-marketed components of pro tennis and an integral part of all tournaments. “I think tennis is one of the best gifts you can give a child and one of the best things a family can do together,” says Palisades Tennis Center and Tennis Channel Television Network founder Steve Bellamy. “It is a sport that gives you fitness for life. It can be played at any skill level, it is gender neutral, it is played in every country in the world and there are nearly one million tennis courts in public parks across America, most of which are free to the public. You can learn tennis when you are age two and still be playing it when you are 102.” Bellamy is no stranger to music as he recorded five albums, toured the country and had singles on national radio before founding the Tennis Center. He has spent a lot of time playing music and concerts with the Bryan Brothers, performing at venues in, among other places, London, New York, Las Vegas, Los Angeles. Bellamy recently acquired the recording studio in the 881 Alma Real Building where the PTC’s corporate offices are now located. “The fact that the greatest doubles team in the history of the sport is coming and people can actually hit with them before watching them perform is a less than rare opportunity,” Bellamy says. “And the fact that after the tennis is over you get to watch the greatest doubles team in the history of beach volleyball before a Bryan Brothers concert is icing on a great cake.” Two kids who can’t wait to watch the two pros they most admire and emulate are Derek and Garret Vincent. “Even though we’re cousins, we want to be just like the Bryan brothers, great at tennis and great friends,” Calvary Christian student Derek says. “Just like Bob and Mike, we want to be great sports and chest bump after a great shot,” Garret adds. “We even want to be in a band. We practice using our racquets as air guitars!” A player who has grown up at the Tennis Center and holds the No. 1 national ranking in boys doubles is 15-year-old Walker Kehrer. “I can’t believe the Bryan Bros are coming to the park,” he says. “They have been my favorite players since I started playing at the PTC 10 years ago and I’ve seen them win all four Grand Slams.” Kehrer will be in Florida on Sunday for the world’s biggest junior tournament, the Orange Bowl. “If I lose I’ll be back to play the Bryan Brothers on my home court and if I win I’ll be in Florida, hopefully winning the same tournament that some of the greatest players in the game have all played,” he says. “So I’m good either way.” This is not the first time the Palisades Tennis Center has hosted a pro exhibition. Shortly after the facility opened in late 1996, Jimmy Connors played a charity match against Palisadian John Lloyd. In July 1997, Adidas sponsored an exhibition between ATP Tour pros Marcos Ondrusca and Michael Joyce. Patrick Rafter and Byron Black took on Jan-Michael Gambill and his brother Torrey in a Prince-sponsored exhibition in July 1998. The Gambill brothers returned the following year with fellow pro Taylor Dent for an Adidas-sponsored exhibition. “Our family has experienced so many wonderful events in the Palisades over the years, says Palisadian Jimmy Dunne. “But the Jimmy Connors/John Lloyd exhibition was one of my favorite days in our town. It was the best of the Palisades. Hundreds of families blanketed the hillside of the park watching two of the game’s greats. Martin Short emceeing that match was absolutely hysterical.” Dunne is looking forward to Sunday as well: “The way the Bryan Brothers move together and play together will be a treat to watch at our town park.” The Palisades Tennis Center is home to one of the best junior programs in the country and has gained worldwide recognition for its “live ball” drills and innovative teaching techniques. “This is an exciting time for tennis in the Palisades,” says PTC manager Heidi Wessels. “We have had our best year at the park, the courts have been packed, we have just finished a complete pro shop re-model and are adding a number of new clothing lines to the shop including Nike and possibly LaCoste.” Rivers, who lives in the Palisades and plays regularly at the PTC, is grateful for the chance to watch world-class tennis practically in her own backyard: “For kids in the Palisades to have an opportunity to watch and hit against the pros is awesome. My son Cooper is turning six on Friday and he’s in the big hitters class. I’ve seen the Bryans perform music, but have never gotten to see them play tennis other than on television. I can’t wait.” Parking is free at 881 Alma Real next to the Rec Center, courtesy of Palisadians Greg Schem and Bill Simon. “I encourage anyone who has never seen tennis, or never seen a rock concert, to come out and watch,” Wayne Bryan says. “The Bros are pumped and it is going to be quite an event.”