Volleyball Seeks Another Banner Year

By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor

Palisades High volleyball player Delaney Arth remembers her sophomore year as “the one that got away.”

The Dolphins won the City Section title when she was a freshman and again last fall and Arth is determined not to have to look back on her last year with regret.

“It still bothers me not winning [two years ago], I remember that feeling and I want to make sure that doesn’t happen again.”

Arth was voted City Player of the Year in 2014 along with fellow Dolphins setter Faylenn McDonough, one of seven players who graduated in the spring, yet Arth believes this year’s team has the potential to be even better.

“We’re at a much better starting point – we’re gelling a lot quicker,” said Arth,  a co-captain along with fellow seniors Isabel Kelly and Lucky Drageset. “Last year, we got crushed in our first scrimmage and this year [against Oaks Christian] ball control-wise we were much better.”

To repeat as Division I champions the Dolphins will have to replace middle blockers Tielar Richards and Milena Gorum and outside hitter Domineque Jeffords, but head coach Carlos Gray agrees with Arth’s assessment.

“Our ceiling is actually higher because we’re a little more explosive, but I still love the known quality we had last year – knowing what you have when you walk in the door, as opposed to the unknown this year,” Gray said. “That said, I think we have a good chance and we should be one of the top teams with Granada Hills, El Camino Real and Carson.”

Up from junior varsity to help Angel Echipue in the middle are sophomores Martina Gorum (Milena’s sister) and Abby Kearney and senior outside hitter Bella Edwards, who transferred from Oaks Christian last year, will be attackers along with Kelly (right side), senior outside hitter Sadie Gray and junior opposite Emma Sims.

Add to the mix outside hitters Sarah Hurst and Kiana Ferguson and junior libero Olivia Zelon (who has already committed to the University of Texas) and Palisades appears to possess the firepower to make a run at another section title, although Coach Gray isn’t taking anything for granted.

“Our blocking and defense is where we’re weakest right now, but if Lucky can set well we may go with a 6-2 [offense],” he said.  “We have three tournaments which will be good indicators.”

Another reason for Gray’s optimism is the addition of two  coaches to his staff: varsity assistant Anthony Elizondo (owner of the Santa Monica Volleyball Club) and junior varsity coach Laura Smith, who played at UC Santa Barbara.

Elizondo has incorporated a  variety of new training techniques and drills to make practices more physically exerting, yet also more fun. Fresh off coaching USA Youth Volleyball’s continental girls squad (ages 16-17) in July, he thinks the Dolphins are just as talented – if not more.

“This team is loaded,” Elizondo said. “The pin hitters have a variety of shots and they’re smart.”

Palisades opens the season at reigning City Division II champion Taft, which dealt the Dolphins a five-set loss in their opener last year. The Dolphins will also play in the Venice, Sylmar and Crescenta Valley tournaments.

Cohesion, a key component to any championship team, is something Arth believes the Dolphins have. An example came after practice Monday when teammates sang “Happy Birthday” to a surprised Kearney.

“We’re lucky to have a great group of girls,” she said. Everyone’s getting along. We’re all competitive and we all want to be on the floor, but most of all we want to win.”