Upon learning Coach Carlos Gray pulled them out of the upcoming Sylmar Tournament because the seniors have ACT testing, Palisades High varsity volleyball players took their disappointment out on Venice on Wednesday, sweeping the host Gondoliers for the third time this season.
Breaking in their new uniforms, the Dolphins looked sharp from the get-go against their archrivals, who they ousted in the finals of the Venice Tournament and again in the first round of Western League play.
“The girls would’ve liked to defend their [Sylmar] title, but we wouldn’t have been able to bring our full squad and it’s too late to enter another tournament,” Gray said.
Sparked by the kills of Bella Edwards, Sadie Gray and Isabel Kelly, the setting of Delaney Arth and Lucky Drageset, the digging of libero Olivia Zelon and the blocking of Angel Echipue, Palisades posted a 25-16, 25-10, 25-18 victory.
Back-to-back kills by Kelly and Echipue gave the Dolphins the first set, then they took a commanding 16-2 lead in the second thanks to a 10-point serving run by Gray — a run that included four aces.
“Coach is always emphasizing win the serve-serve receive battle,” Gray said. “My serves get harder as I go. It’s always more exciting when we’re playing them. They’re usually our best competition [in league.]”
Palisades swept visiting Hamilton, 25-12, 25-16, 25-11, on Monday to stay unbeaten in league with three matches left.
— Steve Galluzzo
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