Girls' Volleyball: Palisades successfully defends title

In a Saturday night showdown between the top two seeds, #1 Palisades proved too much for #2 Granada Hills, winning 25-16, 25-23, 22-25, 25-21, at Roybal Learning Center to earn its second consecutive City Section championship and 25th since the sport was sanctioned in 1973.

Senior captain Laura Goldsmith had 16 kills and six aces as the Dolphins (17-1) overcame a 23-20 deficit in Game 2, then rallied from 11-4 down in the fourth game to finish off the Highlanders, who were seeking their first City title.

Sophomore outside hitter Hanna Levanen finished with 21 kills for Granada Hills, five of which came during a six-point run that gave the Highlanders (15-3) a 21-16 lead in the third game.

Palisades advances to next week's state Division I tournament. Seedings will be determined on Sunday.

-- Steve Galluzzo, guest blogger

Comments

[C Johnson]

Palisades showed they had the heart of a champion last night winning the CIF City Section Championship against a Granada Hills team that came with one of the CIF's best hitters. In the first game Palisades moved to an easy lead with strong serving, passing and Pali seniors Keil and Yazdi's unrelenting block of the Highlanders number one hitter, Hannah Levanen. Pali won(25-16). In game two Granada coach Tom Harp made an adjustment in his lineup freeing Levanen from Pali's two towering seniors. The move was immediately effective as Granada fought it's way to a 23-20 lead and looked like they might even up the match. But the Dolphins improved their passing and stepped up their serve to reel off five consecutive points to win game two.
Levanen continued to gain confidence in game three winning 22-25. Game four looked like the Highlanders were set to take control of the match when they marched out to an 11-4 lead. But Pali senior Laura Goldsmith and her co-captain, junior Tait Johnson would have none of that. Between the two of them they accounted for most of Pali's big passes and kills playing aggressive and smart volleyball when their teammates needed them most. Hannah Fagerbakke came up with a stuff block and Kelly Yazdi added a much needed kill from the OH position to pull Pali back into the lead. At one point nearing the end of game four it seemed that nerves were getting to both teams as they exchanged 5 consequtive sideouts with errant serves. It fell to Tait Johnson to serve Pali into the Championship just as Tait's sister, Teal, did for Pali last year. The Dolphins now move on to the Division I State Chamionship tournament.
Many coaches say that championships are won by defense and that was certainly true for the Dolphins. But more that any other trait, the young women of the Palisades embrass and thrived in the pressure of this championship. The took their fans on a rollercoaster ride

[C Johnson]

Palisades showed they had the heart of a champion last night winning the CIF City Section Championship against a Granada Hills team that came with one of the CIF's best hitters. In the first game Palisades moved to an easy lead with strong serving, passing and Pali seniors Keil and Yazdi's unrelenting block of the Highlanders number one hitter, Hannah Levanen. Pali won (25-16). In game two Granada made an adjustment in the lineup freeing Levanen from Pali's two towering seniors. The move was immediately effective as Granada fought its way to a 23-20 lead and looked like they might even up the match. But the Dolphins improved their passing and stepped up their serve to reel off five consecutive points to win game two.
Levanen continued to gain confidence in game three winning 22-25. Game four looked like the Highlanders were set to take control of the match when they marched out to an 11-4 lead. But Pali senior Laura Goldsmith and her co-captain, junior Tait Johnson would have none of that. Between the two of them they accounted for most of Pali's big passes and kills playing aggressive and smart volleyball when their teammates needed them most. Hannah Fagerbakke came up with a stuff block and Kelly Yazdi added a much needed kill from the OH position to pull Pali back into the lead. At one point nearing the end of game four it seemed that nerves were getting to both teams as they exchanged 4 sideouts with errant serves. It fell to Tait Johnson to serve Pali into the Championship just as Tait's sister, Teal, did for Pali last year. The Dolphins now move on to the Division I State Championship tournament against Mira Costa.
Many coaches say that championships are won by defense and that was certainly true for the Dolphins. But more than any other trait, the young women of the Palisades embraced and thrived in the pressure of this championship. They took their fans on a rollercoaster ride coming from behind to win both games 2 and 4.

[C Johnson]

It's hard to imagine how the Pali Dolphins could have received a more difficult draw in their first round of the Division I State Championship tournament. Traveling to Pali's home court will be the Mira Costa Mustangs who just lost their five game CIF Southern Section championship to Santa Margarita. The Mustangs say they are looking for redemption against a Dolphin team that has yet to face such a highly skilled opponent. If Pali plays inspired defense and brings their best service game then maybe...
I'm sure head coach Chris Forrest will be up late tonight working feverishly to try and find some weakness in Mira Costa's game that he can exploit. Good luck Dolphins.

[C Johnson]

The CIF LA City Section has named their outstanding Girls Volleyball players for the 2008 season. They include the following Palisades players:

Player of the Year: Laura Goldsmith - Senior

All City 1st Team: Tait Johnson - Junior
Lauren Gustafson - Junior

All City 2nd Team: Kelsey Keil - Senior