Girls’ volleyball, 48-3, will face the 22-15 Del Norte Nighthawks in the first round of the 2021 CIF State playoffs today. The game will be in the Venice gym at 6 p.m. 

According to coach Raul Aviles, the Gondoliers don’t have a specific game plan for Del Norte as they’ve never had the chance to face them before. However, they do have a specific way of approaching the match. 

“We really just want to continue to do well and represent not only our school but our section as best as possible,” Aviles said. “We hope to see everyone there.” 

The Gondoliers are coming off their CIF LA Section City Championship win over Granada Hills Charter Saturday, defeating them in three sets. However, the first set of the match was a challenge for the team as they were down almost the whole time, according to Aviles.

“With a great service run by Biko Hollie and good defense to complement, we were able to come back from a 17-23 deficit and win that set 25-23,” Aviles said. 

From that point on, the Gondoliers’ confidence increased and they were able to control the rest of the match, Aviles said. 

Aviles thought it was an incredible and surreal experience winning the city championship. 

“To not only win the city championship, but to do it in front of our families, friends, alumni and fans meant a great deal to us,” Aviles said.