Palisades may be the defending City champion, but Venice was the more experienced team entering Monday’s Western League showdown. In the end, that experience served the visiting Gondoliers well throughout a 25-19, 23-25, 25-10, 25-22 victory which gave them sole possession of first place heading into the second round of league play. ”The rivalry between the two schools has long been among the most fiercely competitive in the City Section and Monday’s match was no exception. But while the majority of Dolphins are freshmen, the Gondos’ roster boasts five seniors and five juniors. And although Palisades’ youthful exuberance and athleticism showed at times, the poise and consistency of Venice proved to be the decisive factor. ”As the match progressed, a battle in the middle evolved between Pali freshman Alex Lunder and Venice senior Ashley Legoretta. The Dolphins’ 14-year-old was by far their biggest offensive weapon, finishing with 10 kills and six blocks. Legoretta countered with 14 kills, 14 digs and eight blocks while junior outside hitter Kiana Seaver added 12 kills and three aces for Venice (5-2 overall, 4-0 in league). ”Momentum swung back and forth throughout the first game. Senior setter Diana Grubb served four consecutive points to give Pali (5-2, 3-1) a 13-12 lead but six service errors ultimately cost Pali a chance to take an early lead on its home floor. Game two was closely contested until freshman Jenna McCallister’s touch kill down the line put Pali ahead to stay. Fellow ninth-grader Alina Kheyfets, who was born in Moscow and is a black belt in karate, dropped a quick-set kill on game point that leveled the match at a game apiece and put a smile on the face of Pali’s first-year coach Cheri Stuart. ”Venice took control of the match in the third game, benefiting from numerous service, rotation and return errors by the Dolphins to open a commanding 17-5 advantage. The Gondos’ domination continued early in the fourth game as they raced to a 22-14 lead. However, Palisades did not go down without a fight. The Dolphins mounted a furious rally, pulling to within two points twice and saving two match points before Seaver ended it with a crosscourt kill. ”Natasha Vokhshoori had six kills and three blocks and Kaylie McCallister had 12 digs for the Dolphins, whose only previous loss came in its season opener at Santa Monica. Venice is undefeated since nonleague losses to San Pedro and Narbonne. Monday’s match aired that evening on KCLS-LA television and will be rebroadcast Friday at 10 p.m. Football ”For the third time in five games, the Palisades High varsity football team failed to produce an offensive touchdown in a 34-6 nonleague loss to San Pedro Friday night at Stadium by the Sea. By halftime, an eery mist had engulfed the field, but it was the Dolphins who seemed to be in a fog. ”Palisades (1-4) rushed for a season-low 45 yards, all but three of those by junior tailback Andre Harris. Senior quarterback Dylan Cohen completed 4 of 13 passes for 27 yards’two of them to Harris’and was sacked four times. The Dolphins might have been shut out completely if not for a 40-yard interception return for a touchdown by senior defensive back Brandon Bryant with 21 seconds left in the third quarter. Bryant also made a spectacular one-handed interception at midfield in the second quarter, but the Dolphins could not take advantage of the turnover and punted four plays later. ”After recovering the opening kickoff, San Pedro (3-2) wasted little time capitalizing on Palisades’ miscue. Gregory Wood, who finished with 71 yards in 16 carries, scored on a seven-yard run 1:31 into the game. Quarterback Dustin Garneau completed 8 of 13 passes for 153 yards, including a 54-yard touchdown pass that extended the Pirates’ lead to 28-6 early in the fourth quarter. Girls Tennis ”Without top player Olivia Colman, Palisades may not have the best varsity tennis team in the City Section. But the Dolphins are out to prove they are still the team to beat in the Western League. Pali’s stiffest competition was supposed to have come from Westchester, but Pali trounced the host Comets 6-1 in the first meeting between the schools, sweeping all three doubles matches in the process. ”Just before the season started, Colman left PaliHi and enrolled in an independent study program. Her absence was felt in nonleague losses to Mira Costa and Malibu, but since then Palisades has won five matches in a row, with No. 1 and No. 2 singles players Krista Slocum and Contessa Brown leading the way. ”The defending league champion Dolphins traveled to Venice Monday and beat the Gondos 6-1. Brown defeated Jenna Yoshikama, 8-3, at No. 1 singles, Slocum beat Pauline Lampert by the same score at No. 2 singles, Lauren Pugatch blanked Kiri Inouve, 8-0, at No. 3 singles and Sarah Yankelovitz won 8-2 at No. 4 singles. ”Co-captain Brittany O’Neal and Yasmir Navas lost 8-2 at No. 1 doubles, Mary Logan and Lotte Kiepe won 8-4 at No. 2 doubles and Dina Quick paired with Elieka Salamipour to win 8-6 at the No. 3 doubles position.
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