Pali High Volleyball Digs Deep to Win First Regional Playoff Match

By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor

It was only fitting that Palisades High’s girls volleyball squad achieved two “firsts” last Tuesday in its 20-25, 29-27, 25-19, 28-26 triumph over Oceanside El Camino in the opening round of the CIF Southern California Regional Division III bracket.

The seventh-seeded Dolphins flew under the radar all season en route to winning the City Section Open Division title and their latest comeback secured the team’s 40th win—the most in a single season in the program’s storied history. It also marked Palisades’ first victory in the state tournament since the regional playoffs began in 2003.

Oregon Ducks commit Alex Laita leveled the match at one set apiece, then gave her team a 2-1 lead with an angle kill. In the fourth set, Alexa Hogan tied it, Annie Wibbelsman hit the line for a 27-26 lead and Sydney Conway ended it with a spike.

The Dolphins’ 2018 campaign came to an end in the quarterfinals last Thursday, but not before they  saved five match points in a four-set loss at second-seeded Sage Creek of Carlsbad, the San Diego Section Division 2 champion.

“So proud of my girls’ effort,” tweeted Pali High Coach Carlos Gray, whose team finished 40-10.  “Came up short tonight but we are still champions and that will not change!”