With an undefeated league record of 7-0, Girls’ Volleyball, 27-4, will be going head to head against Venice’s all-time rivals, the Palisades Dolphins, 21-9, at 4:30 p.m.
The Gondoliers have faced the Dolphins in the past this season, defeating them 3-0 on September 9 but lost to them in a tournament 2-0 on September 14.
Palisades continues to be the Gondoliers’ only opposition in the western league.
“Anytime we play against our rival and a good opponent, we always want to win,” said Coach Raul Aviles.
Raul adds that “they have a new player who is now eligible because of the transfer rule, and she does change the team a bit.”
The Gondoliers’ performance continues to dominate the season, with Raul praising the team.
“We always play good volleyball, and I am always proud of the girls,” he said.
“They care, play very hard and understand the system we try to run and do it to the best of their abilities.”
With a well-performing team comes high expectations, with Raul wanting the Gondoliers to win the Open Division Championship, and going deep into state.
“I think we can do damage in state, but it depends on our seed– we can go far.”
This all depends on the seeding of the Gondoliers in the playoffs, which determines how far they can go.
“You can have a very dominant season and get a pretty rough seed where you end up a division higher playing some phenomenal teams,” Raul said.
“Or we can get our one or two games in state like we have for a couple of years. We’re trying to get past the second round,” he said.
In order for the Gondoliers to win Championships, Raul makes the team focus on two aspects of the game: “Ball control and defense.”
“Those are our biggest strengths, and when we don’t perform, those are our biggest weaknesses.”
Senior Pauline Lao, a captain alongside Kaylee Nakagawa, sets the tone for the teams’ performance according to Raul.
“I could name all five-six-seven-eight starters but she sets the tone with our defense and our ball control. She sets the tone and helps us play the way we want to play.”
