The Venice High volleyball team may be the defending 7A champions, but Tuesday’s preseason opener against Berkeley Prep made it clear the 2013 Indians have a long way to go if they want to successfully defend the crown.

Berkeley Prep defeated Venice 20-25, 25-20, 25-17, 25-15 at the Teepee Tuesday night on the strength of a plethora of hitters — including Stanford commit and top-50 recruit Sidney Brown — who proved why the Buccaneers are nationally ranked.