Category Archives: Palisades High
Boys Volleyball: Palisades upset by Granada Hills in D1 finals; Venice and LACES lose in D2 and D3
Things did not Things did not go the way Palisades wanted to against Granada Hills the second time around.
After beating the Highlanders earlier this season and in last year’s finals, the Dolphins had another lackluster playoffs performance getting swept for the LA City Division 1 title (25-20, 25-19, 25-20) at the Roybal Learning Center.
Palisades had struggled in five-set matches versus Van Nuys in the quarterfinals and San Pedro in the semifinals.
‘It is very disappointing to get to the finals and lose the way we did,” said Palisades head coach Randy Stoklos.
The Dolphins had earlier defeated Granada Hills in four sets in March to open the season, but trailed almost the entire contest. Palisades’ only lead in match was a 3-1 advantage in the first set.
Grant Pugatch had 11 kills for the Dolphins.
Stoklos also announced after the game that he would not return as Palisades coach next season.
The Western League seemed poised to sweep all three of the boys Volleyball city titles, but came away empty handed.
In the Division 2 finals, Venice was the on the verge of losing the first set to Eagle Rock before a run of eight straight points gave the Gondoliers set one at 26-24. That would be the only highlight as the Eagles took the next three sets to take home the city title (24-26, 25-21, 25-18, 25-21).
Steven Glaza had 15 kills for Venice.
Northridge Academy defeated LACES 3-1 (25-18, 25-12, 17-25, 25-18) for the Division 3 title.
Boys Volleyball: Palisades’ Randy Stoklos resigns as coach after losing in the City Finals
Palisades boys volleyball head coach Randy Stoklos announced his resignation after one season during the post game interview minutes after his team was swept 3-0 by Granada Hills in the LA City Division I finals at Royal High.
“It had nothing to do with the outcome of this game right now, but I’m not going to back as coach next year at Palisades High,” said Stoklos. “I have had some other opporunities that have come up in the college ranks. Also going to the Olympic games with beach volleyball, I’m going to take advantage of. I have never gone to the Olympic games.”
Stoklos did not state what college he may end up at, but did say that the opporunity to coach in the 2016 Olympic Games is with Team USA.
In addition, he expressed frustration of with the adminstration for the lack of playing time that his team was allowed to practice in the gym compared to the basketball program as well as his dislike for the lack of stability in a the position with a yearly review.
“I did what need to do for a team and now one was stepping to the plate, after they had been without a coach for so long. I will always enjoy my high school experience and would be open to returning to it,” said Stoklos.
He went 27-8-1 in his single season at Palisades, winning a Western League title.
Swimming: Palisades sweeps Boys and Girls City Titles [updated]
Palisades assistant coach Peter Fishler is pushed into the pool during the celebration of winning LA City Section Boys and Girls Swimming Titles at East LA College on Friday. / Michael Yanow
With a trio of dominating performances, Palisades’ Allie Vituous, and Mardell Ramirez each won four events, while Brandon Yong won three at the LA City Swimming Finals to lead the Dolphins to sweep both the boys and girls team titles on Friday.
Palisades’ strength could be felt in every race at East Los Angeles College as they won 11 out of 21 individual and team events and failed to reach the top three in only two events.
“So relieved, it’s finally time. This has been my career goal in the last ten years to have all four teams to go undefeated in the city and we finally did it,” said Palisades coach Maggie Nance. “The boys have been trying really hard for the last few years [to win city], but they got it.”
The Dolphins set the tone in the first race of the meet when the team of Natalia Hernandez, Lily Carthan, Jayme Rossie, and Ramirez easily won the 200 yard medley relay by five seconds over Granada Hills.
Softball: Hamilton and Palisades on the road in the D1 playoffs
Hamilton and Palisades who finished second and third in the Western League will be on the road in the west valley during the first round of the LA City Division I playoffs.
West Valley League champion and second seed El Camino Real will be Palisades’ next opponent as the Dolphins slid into the playoffs as the 15th seed.
Hamilton grabbed the 11th seed and will take on West Valley League runner-up Chatsworth, who earned the six seed.
First roud matchups are below:
LA CITY Division I Softball Playoffs
First Round
Tuesday, May 14th at 3 p.m.
Boys Volleyball: Four Western League teams advance to the semifinals
The Western League has had a strong showing in the LA City Boys Volleyball playoffs this year. Four teams in three divisions have advanced to the semifinals on Tuesday.
First year coach Randy Stoklos’ top-seeded Palisades squad survived by ralling in a five game thriller at home against Van Nuys in the Division I quarterfinals (26-24, 26-28, 25-27, 25-16, 15-13).
They will host No.5 seed San Pedro, who defeated Marine League rival Carson in five games.
In Division II, Venice swept Franklin (25-10, 25-23, 25-10) and University easily handled Jordan in three straight games (25-23, 25-15,25-16). The Gondoliers will host Bravo Medical Magnet, while the Wildcats face top-seed Eagle Rock.
LACES will host Rancho Dominguez in Divison III after defeating Elizabeth (25-18, 25-20, 25-22).
Boys Volleyball: Today’s first round playoff schedule
Below is today’s first round boys volleyball playoff schedule involving westside teams. All games are at 7 p.m. unless otherwise indicated.
LA CITY SECTION
Division 1:
Grant at Palisades
Division 2:
Kennedy at University
Arleta at Venice
SOUTHERN SECTION
JC Football: Texas State offers Santa Monica College’s Floyd and Shakir
Santa Monica College defensive back Qujuan Floyd/ Photo Courtesy of SMC Athletics
Two Santa Monica College freshman football players, defensive back Qujuan Floyd and offensive lineman Maurquice Shakir have picked up offers from Texas State for the 2014 season.
Floyd earned All-American honors after having seven interception and 49 tackles as well as being named the American Pacific Conference Defensive Player of the Year last year.
The 6’4, 285 lbs Shakir, from Palisades High, blocked for one of the most prolific offenses in school history. Running back Myles Johnson was the first person to rush for more than 1,000 yards in 13 years and quarterback Alfonso Medina threw for 2,640 yards and 30 touchdowns.
Texas State had a 4-8 record and was 2-4 in the Western Athletic Conference in 2012.
Santa Monica College won the American Pacific Conference for the second consecutive season last year and finshed 9-2.
