Sports briefs: Host Tam takes title in volleyball tournament

The Tam High girls volleyball team has hosted its annual tournament for nine seasons. On Saturday, the Red-tailed Hawks went 5-0 to win the tournament for just the second time.

Tam (17-3), which also defeated Terra Linda in league play on Friday night, claimed the title without dropping a set against Vallejo, Liberty, Colusa, San Rafael, and Petaluma. Tam’s toughest battle came against San Rafael, with the Red-tailed Hawks pulling out a 25-23, 25-23 victory in the semifinals.

Natalie Stanford had 23 kills and nine aces during the tournament. Makayla Sheffer added 18 kills and seven aces, including four in a row against Liberty. Jade Curtin-Savala had 42 digs and seven aces, Annie Payne had six digs and six aces, and Reese Murphy had 16 kills and 10 blocks.

• Redwood took down San Rafael in straight sets on Friday, winning 25-8, 25-3, 25-19. The Giants (13-1, 2-0 MCAL) host Tam in an important early-season clash on Wednesday.
• Branson went 1-3 at the Durango Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, finishing fourth in the Silver Division. The Bulls won their pool with a 3-0 record on Friday but were placed into the second-tier Silver Division after losing a tight two-setter to Cornerstone Christian in the first game on Saturday. Branson defeated Skutt Catholic in three sets to advance to the semifinals before falling against Xavier College Prep and Marist to end the day. Branson effectively placed 12th out of 64 teams at one of the top volleyball tournaments in the country. Branson won the Silver Division at the 2023 Durango.

Prep football

Heritage 56, Terra Linda 0 >> An early turnover set the tone as the Trojans (2-1) gave up a quick score, then gave Heritage the ball back on the 5-yard line to fall into a 14-0 hole inside the first 3 minutes. Heritage extended to a 35-0 lead at the half before scoring three more touchdowns in the final 5 minutes.

TL quarterback Josh Milani completed 14 of 25 passes for 133 yards with one interception. Mateo Pattani had team-highs with 35 receiving yards and 92 kickoff return yards.

Branson 36, Tulelake 30 >> The Bulls surged out to a big halftime lead then held off a late charge by the Honkers to claim the victory on Saturday. Branson (2-1) jumped in front 28-8 at the break but had some nervous moments in the fourth quarter as Tulelake (2-1) mounted a big comeback.

Tulelake pulled within 36-30 inside the final 2 minutes but were unable to execute an onside kick. Branson ran the clock out to preserve the victory.

Roseland University Prep 60, Tomales 0 >> The Braves continued their tough start to the season with a blowout loss against the Knights on Saturday. Tomales (0-4) has been outscored 228-30 so far this season.

International soccer

Former Tam High standout Yuna McCormack and the United States women’s national team wrapped up their participation at the U-20 World Cup in Colombia with a 2-1 extra-time victory against the Netherlands in Saturday’s third-place game.

McCormack came on as a substitute and played in all seven matches for the USWNT. McCormack, who is a sophomore at the University of Virginia, scored two goals and had two assists in the tournament.

College football

Former Marin Catholic standout Spencer Petras made his return as the starting quarterback for Utah State on Saturday, completing 26 of 44 passes for 294 yards in a 45-29 loss against Temple. Petras, who missed the past two games with an injury, had two touchdowns and one interception for the Aggies (1-3), who led 21-17 at the half.

College basketball

Former Marin Catholic standout Kyle Winters, a sophomore walk-on for Siena College, was recently awarded a scholarship by the Saints. Siena Basketball posted a video on social media on Friday showing Winters receiving the news via a phone call while being surrounded by his teammates.

Winters played in 22 games — starting six — last season for the Saints. He averaged 3.2 points per game and shot 35.5% from 3-point range. Winters was an all-MCAL first-team selection and was named the IJ’s boys basketball player of the year after he averaged 21.2 points per game during his senior season at MC in 2022.

Boys water polo

Marin Catholic had a strong showing at the Napa Valley Tournament on Friday and Saturday, going 3-1 to take second place. MC (5-4) defeated Vintage 15-5 in the opening game on Friday then took down Concord 17-0 to advance to Saturday’s semifinals. The Wildcats faced Acalanes in the early game on Saturday, defeating the Dons 14-9. MC lost 10-8 against Piedmont in the championship game.

Prep cross country

Annie Carmona led the way as the Terra Linda girls team placed sixth in the small schools division at the Woodbridge Invitational on Saturday. Carmona crossed the finish line with a time of 18 minutes, 36 seconds to finish 26th individually. TL also got strong performances from Anna Wallen (54th, 19:36), Victoria Pappas (57th, 19:41), Isabella Rossetti (19:56), and Rose Duncan (20:42).

Shahan Ajmani paced the varsity boys by running a time of 15:44 to place 37th.

Girls golf

Hayley Picetti led the way with a 37 as Novato picked up its first victory of the season, a 192-201 win against Terra Linda.