PREP VOLLEYBALL / CITY BOYS’ FINALS : Palisades Wins Ninth 4-A Title

Palisades avenged a loss in last season’s 4-A Division boys’ volleyball final and won its ninth City Section championship Friday night, defeating Roosevelt, 15-7, 15-1, 11-15, 15-9, at Pepperdine’s Firestone Fieldhouse.

James Turner, a 6-foot-8 middle blocker, had 19 kills and six blocks to lead Palisades (13-5). Mike Moran had 16 kills for Roosevelt, which made only its second championship appearance.

The Roughriders (14-3) were too small to contend with the Dolphins, who started four players who are 6-3 or taller.

“It was nice win since we lost last year (to University),” said Colin Wellman, who had 27 kills and two blocks. “James was unstoppable in the middle.”

In the 3-A Division final, Marshall defeated Fairfax, 15-3, 15-6, 12-15, 10-15, 15-7.

Eli Brueggemann had nine of his match-high 32 kills during the fifth game as top-seeded Marshall avoided another upset in the division final.

Last season, the top-seeded Barristers were upset by Venice.

Marshall (14-0) held a 5-3 lead in the third game when its passing game broke down. Fairfax had a seven-point run and won the game.

“They were able to key against our big hitters,” Marshall Coach Marji Donatella said. “Then our transition game bit the dust, and we couldn’t convert when we were serving.”

After losing the fourth game, Marshall adjusted its rotation, creating matchup problems for Fairfax (9-5). With the score tied, 6-6, the Barristers ran off seven unanswered points to take a 13-6 lead in the fifth game.

Marshall middle blocker Tim Surette had 22 kills and 26 blocks.

Steve Lee had 26 kills for Fairfax.