Big Changes for Venice Volleyball

Coming off of a 27-12 season that ended in a City Section Division I quarterfinal loss to Granada Hills, the Venice High boys volleyball team is looking to fill the holes left by the loss of seven of its top 10 players. Of the three returners, only one will be available when the season starts.

“We only have three returning starters, but one of them is ineligible right now and the other one has a broken hand," Coach Allen Hunt said. "In addition, some of those players are changing positions, so they will need to pick up on it sooner rather than later." 

The three returners are the Gondoliers' senior co-captains: , Kyle Smith and Brennan Chen. Smith will have to start the season on the bench after breaking his hand in the final game of the basketball season. 

Xiong will be moving positions to setter, while senior outside hitter Josh Scheib will also be moving to setter. The players are moving due to the huge depth of talent that is gone from the Gondoliers' roster.

“We lost two players last year who were All-City," Hunt said. "They will be tough to replace. It’s going to be a very tall task but I think we have the talent to do it."

Last year, the Gondoliers finished second in the Western League behind eventual City runner-up Palisades. Hunt believes Palisades is the team to beat this year. 

“I think there’s a very good chance for us to contend for second again in league," Hunt said. "I would be happy with that. Pali is going to be really tough to beat. A lot of our success will depend on how quickly we can get Kyle back and how Josh and Xiao adapt to their new positions.”

Hunt already has a league title under his belt this year, having led the girls squad to an undefeated mark before being upset by rival Palisades in the City Division II semifinals.  

The boys squad will start the regular season March 10 with a home match against Sylmar. It will be the first time that Hunt’s adjusted lineup is on display. 

“We had to make some changes on the girls' roster as well this year, and they picked it up pretty well," Hunt said. "I expect the boys to do the same. We can definitely make playoffs this year, and once we get there, who knows what will happen?”