Pali High Volleyball Digs for Gold at Venice Tournament

By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor

So far this season, the Palisades High boys volleyball team has resembled a tidal wave, washing over one opponent after another.

On Saturday, the Dolphins captured their second tournament title in two weeks, sweeping all eight of their matches and 16 consecutive sets to win the gold division at the Venice Invitational.

Co-captain Jeff Stuart, a junior libero, earned Most Valuable Player honors and freshman opposite hitter/setter Miles Partain made the All-Tournament team for the Dolphins, who defeated Crossroads, 25-12, 25-15, in the finals. Palisades began pool play Friday with victories over Cleveland, Kennedy and South Pasadena, then beat Marshall, Heritage Christian and Lancaster on Saturday to earn the No. 1 seed in the gold division. After a first-round bye, the Dolphins downed Verdugo Hills, 25-10, 25-12, to set up a finals showdown against a Roadrunners squad coached by longtime Palisadian Mari Jo Deutschman and former Pali High player Lauren Joseph, who led the Dolphins to three City straight girls titles from 1997-99.   

Palisades improved to 17-1 Monday with a sweep of Western League rival Venice and travels to UC Santa Barbara for the Dos Pueblos Invitational on Saturday.