Highlights from the final against Calabasas. Palisades is in the far court.
Pali High volleyball player Olivia Zelon talks about the Sylmar Tournament.
Winning the Sylmar Tournament was all in a day’s work for the Palisades High girls varsity volleyball team. One very long day.
The Dolphins arrived at the San Fernando Valley school early Saturday with some uncertainty but left seven matches and 12 hours later looking like serious City championship contenders. Palisades managed to navigate through a field of 30 teams without dropping a set — matching the achievement of its JV team in the same gym two weeks earlier.
“Our confidence grew as the day went on,” said sophomore libero Oliva Zelon, who made the All-Tournament along with outside hitter Domineque Jeffords. “If we play this way I think we can win CIF.”
In a see-saw battle the Dolphins outlasted Calabasas 25-21 in the final.
It was Palisades’ first title in the 25-year history of the tournament, which came as a surprise to head coach Carlos Gray. “I didn’t know that,” he said. “It’s hard to believe given all the success Pali’s had over the years.”
The Dolphins swept their four pool play matches to earn the No. 3 seed in the single-elimination playoffs. After a first-round bye they defeated Western League rival Fairfax in the quarterfinals and Heritage Christian in the semifinals.
It was a team effort that combined the accuracy of hitters Paige Hornbaker, Isabel Kelly, Sarah Hurst, Taylor Pecsok, Sadie Gray and Jeffords with the pinpoint passing of setters Faylenn McDonough and Delaney Arth, the digging of Zelon and Lucky Drageset and the strong net play of middle blockers Milena Gorum, Tielar Richards and Angel Echipue.
After falling behind 3-0 in the final, Palisades reeled off five straight points, but the Coyotes tie it. The Dolphins opened an 11-7 lead, but Calabasas used a 10-3 run to go ahead 17-14. Gorum’s kill put Palisades back in front 18-17 but a wide serve leveled the score and it remained that way until 20-20 when the Dolphins finally forged ahead for good.
“We came here hoping we’d do well, not necessarily thinking we’d win but as we got further and further we realized we could do it,” said Jeffords, a senior captain and outside hitter. “Everyone was focused on doing their job because when we all do it together we’re more successful.”
The Dolphins resumed league action Monday by sweeping Hamilton, 25-9, 25-12, 25-10. They’ll host University on Thursday and wrap up league at Fairfax next Tuesday.
— Steve Galluzzo
SYLMAR TOURNAMENT RESULTS
POOL PLAY
Palisades d. Birmingham, 25-6, 25-3
Palisades d. Providence, 25-20, 25-7
Palisades d. South Gate, 26-24, 25-21
Palisades d. San Pedro, 25-11, 25-15
QUARTERFINALS
(3) Palisades d. (6) Fairfax, 25-15
SEMIFINALS
(3) Palisades d. (2) Heritage Christian, 25-14
CHAMPIONSHIP
(3) Palisades d. (4) Calabasas, 25-21
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