Girls’ Volleyball: Palisades successfully defends title

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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