Pali Tennis Fifth at California Classic

If a few crucial points had gone Palisades’ way the Dolphins might have returned home from last weekend’s California Classic Tennis Tournament with the first-place trophy. As it was, the Dolphins took fifth place in Division I after going 3-1 in Fresno. In its first match Palisades beat Oakland Hills Piedmont 5-2 as all three doubles teams swept and freshmen Alex Giannini and Robbie Bellamy posted singles wins. The Dolphins lost two third-set tiebreakers in doubles and those points proved to be the difference in a 4-3 loss to Monte Vista. After another doubles sweep in a 5-2 victory over Los Gatos it was on to the fifth-place match and the Dolphins made short work of San Jose Gunn, 6-1, as Oliver Thornton, Giannini, Max Licona and Joseph Silvers all won in singles. The Dolphins beat City Section rival Taft to win Division II last spring and fared well this time in the highest division, which included eventual champion Saratoga and Southern California powers Corona del Mar and Santa Barbara. “This was a nice little tournament to see where we’re at and see the kind of competition we’ll be facing down the line,” said Thornton, who played No. 1 singles in three of the four matches. “This is the strongest team I’ve played on here and I believe we’re ready to defend our City title.” On Monday, the Dolphins returned home to the Palisades Recreation Center, where they dispatched Los Angeles CES 7-0 in their Western League opener. They travel to Manhattan Beach this afternoon to take on Mira Costa in the first round of the Bay Area Classic. Boys’ Volleyball Outside hitter Kene Izuckukwu had 16 kills, fellow seniors Josh Kanan and Brian Martin each added nine kills and sophomore libero Earnest Chance had 41 digs as Palisades opened the season with a 25-21, 21-25, 26-24, 25-21 nonleague victory over visiting Carson last Wednesday. On Friday, the Dolphins swept host Sylmar, 25-11, 25-18, 25-11, with Izuchukwu pounding 10 kills and Kanan adding eight.