The two-time Western League champion volleyball team had a hard-driven season that led the team to proceed to compete in city playoffs.  

Volleyball season was concluded on Nov. 16 in a game against Palasades High School. Having the game at home was not much of an advantage because the Gondos lost in a 1-3 set.

At the end of the last set tears were shed by the only three seniors who gave 100% in their final performance.

The quarterfinals on Nov. 10 were a short and undemanding set for the Gondos as they defeated Bravo High School 3-0.   

The score read 15-05 after Jeanette Shekelle spiked the ball to the center court, giving Venice a point that was followed by a timeout by their opponents who were struggling to overcome an extreme disadvantage. Venice took the lead, concluding the game 25-9

An intense beginning during the second set got the crowd cheering when the team was tested on their flexibility. Coach Hunt, who was thrilled with the way his players handled themselves on the court, shouted to them, “That’s how you play!”

Bravo took the lead for a split second 4-3, until their team member spiked an out ball. Molly Lieske then took control, serving 8 times, leaving the score 13-05

Colleen McCabe was outstandingly killing on the court. She performed with talent just like sisters Sarah McCabe, star player of 07-08, and Katie McCabe, class of 09-10. Their excellent spikes and reflex skills seem to be genetic.

Once again, the game ended 25-9.

Game three resulted in a score of 25-10. A final serve by Mercado led Bravo to lose control of the ball, finalizing the game.

The Gondos challenged West Adams High School in round two of playoffs on Nov. 8 for a spot in the quarterfinals. They swept the score board away 25-14, 25-19, and 25-8. 

Round one of playoffs was a bye due to Venice being seeded in the top eight in a 24-team playoff bracket. The top teams did not have to compete.

The Venice Gondos dropped the Birmingham Patriots volleyball team in a 3-0 set on Nov.1 in a non-league game. The reported scores read 25-14, 26-24, and 25-9. 

Molly Lieske, outside hitter, led with 11 kills while Katie Mercado had three block solos followed by Lieske with two block solos. Setter Avery Rice dominated in ball handling with 29 assists, compared to Nancy Nguyen, who led the Patriots with 15 assists.

Serve receiving was the area of difficulty for both teams. Venice had 19 errors as opposed to Birmingham’s 36.

“We must maximize our good contacts and continually increase the ratio of good contacts to bad,” said Coach Allen Hunt.