Sports briefs: Tam wins five-setter in section final rematch against University

Annie Payne and Natalia Clifford ran a 6-2 offense — six hitters, two setters — to help lift a shorthanded Tam High girls volleyball team to a 17-25, 25-9, 20-25, 25-15, 15-10 victory against University on Tuesday night.

The Red-tailed Hawks (3-0) were missing head coach Ray Karter and setter Emmeline Sandgren due to illness.

“Annie and Natalia ran a 6-2, which caused us some challenges because we had not practiced that at all and I wasn’t there,” Karter said.

Clifford got some important kills down the stretch as Tam outlasted University. The Red-tailed Hawks won their first section title in program history last season by defeating the Red Devils in the North Coast Section Division IV title game.

• San Marin sustained its first loss of the young season, falling 22-25, 23-25, 20-25 against Petaluma on Tuesday. Sylvia Tuerke paced the Mustangs (2-1) with 14 kills and added two aces. Brianna Nottingham had eight kills and three aces. Sawyer Zappelli had four kills, three blocks, and three aces.
• Redwood (1-0) picked up a season-opening victory against Monte Vista, winning 25-14, 25-17, 25-20.
• Abby Sims dished out 23 assists as San Rafael swept past Casa Grande, 26-24, 25-17, 25-19 on Tuesday. Olivia Dugan had a team-high 17 digs while Elsa Kehoe paced the Bulldogs (5-3) in both kills (14) and aces (eight). Sophia Everett and Cherise Castagne had three kills apiece.