Spikers Aim for Three-Peat

Chasing history is nothing new at Palisades High. Especially when it comes to the girls volleyball program. Since he took over the reins, head coach Chris Forrest has restored the proud tradition of a team that has been synonymous with winning ever since the sport was sanctioned by the City Section in 1973. Palisades has lifted the trophy 25 times, including two straight under Forrest. This fall, Palisades will pursue its third consecutive City title–a feat last accomplished from 1997-99 under then coach Dave Suarez, who now heads the Dolphins’ boys soccer program. The challenge is similar to the one the Dolphins faced heading into last season: filling the void left by the graduation of key starters and the City’s Most Valuable Player. Last year, Lauren Gustafson replaced three-year starting setter Jenna McAllister–a major reason Palisades was able to repeat. Another major reason was the spiking of Laura Goldsmith, who was the unanimous choice as MVP and, like McAllister the previous fall, won the Palisadian-Post Cup Award as the school’s outstanding senior athlete. Also graduating were defensive specialist Sam Jaffe, outside hitter Chelsea Scharf and starting middle blockers Kelly Yazdi and Kelsey Keil. The Dolphins, however, have a solid group returning, led by Gustafson (now a senior and team captain), senior liberos Tait Johnson and Danielle Wolff, senior middle blocker and opposite hitter Hannah Fagerbakke, sophomore middle blocker Meghan Middleton and senior outside hitters Emily Cristiano, Bonnie Wirth and Christine Frappeche. Up from the junior varsity are middle blocker Maddie Grey (a sophomore) and junior Hannah Gross, junior outside hitter Kasey Janousek (her brother Wylie played for the boys in the spring) and junior Nicole Savage (her brother Taylor also played for the boys squad). Rounding out the roster is junior newcomer Yanise Joseph, a middle blocker, and four incoming freshmen: setter Laura Lemoine and outside hitters Molly Kornfiend, Kaitlin Kaufman and Shanna Scott. No girl who has played in the program all four years has graduated without experiencing the thrill of winning a City title. The Dolphins have a demanding schedule that includes nonleague matches against San Pedro and Sylmar and three tournaments: the La Jolla Beach Invitational in San Diego, the Venice Invitational and the Redondo Power Classic. The Dolphins open the season at San Pedro against a Pirates squad that Palisades beat twice in 2007 and swept in the season opener last fall. 2009 GIRLS VOLLEYBALL SCHEDULE Sept. 17 JV/V @ San Pedro 2:30/4 p.m. Sept. 19 JV @ Redondo Tour. All Day Sept. 23 JV/V @ Hamilton* 2:30/4 p.m. Sept. 24 JV/V vs. Westchester* 2:30/4 p.m. Sept. 25-26 V @ La Jolla Tourn. All Day Sept. 29 JV/V @ University* 2:30/4 p.m. Oct. 1 JV/V vs. Fairfax* 2:30/4 p.m. Oct. 3 V @ Venice Tourn. All Day Oct. 5 JV/V vs. Venice* 2:30/4 p.m. Oct. 8 JV/V @ LACES* 2:30/4 p.m. Oct. 14 JV/V vs. Hamilton * 2:30/4 p.m. Oct. 15 JV/V @ Westchester* 2:30/4 p.m. Oct. 19 JV/V vs. University* 2:30/4p.m. Oct. 21 JV/V @ Fairfax* 2:30/4 p.m. Oct. 28 JV/V vs. Venice* 2:30/4 p.m. Oct. 29 JV/V vs. LACES* 2:30/4 p.m. Oct. 30-31 V @ Redondo Tourn. All Day Nov. 2 JV/V vs. Sylmar 2:30/4 p.m. * Western League match