GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
No. 4 St. Ignatius 3, Marin Catholic 1
After losing back-to-back games against Archbishop Mitty and St. Mary’s-Stockton, St. Ignatius faced another tough test when a trip to Marin Catholic, one of the North Bay’s premier programs, was up next.
But after losing the first set 27-29, the Wildcats rallied and swept the next three 25-19, 25-15, 25-19 to earn their 19th victory of the season.
St. Ignatius coach Saga Vae said Carol Manu led the team in kills, and Jamie Lo paced the Wildcats in digs. St. Ignatius travels to Archbishop Riordan on Thursday.
No. 7 Menlo-Atherton 3, Half Moon Bay 0
Menlo-Atherton won its 12th consecutive game and remained an unblemished 10-0 in PAL-De Anza league play after sweeping HMB 25-14, 25-16, 25-8. Menlo-Atherton coach Denny Falls got a monster performance from junior Meki Maile, who had 34 assists, seven digs and five aces. Dani Eline had 17 kills and eight digs, and Sienna Morales and Sarah Littlefield combined for 13 kills and seven blocks. Duru Ruacan had eight kills for the program that has enjoyed nine sweeps since its last loss.
No. 11 San Ramon Valley 3, Granada 0
Coming off a huge victory over EBAL rival Amador Valley on Thursday, and a successful 3-1 run at the Stockton tournament last weekend (which included victories over Pleasant Grove, Pitman-Turlock and St. Francis-Sacramento), SRV kept things rolling against Granada.
Lucy Chertock led the team with 14 kills and seven digs, and Audree Vasconi had 23 assists and two aces. Sophia Vella had nine kills and one ace, and Maddie Connelly had nine kills, two aces, seven digs and two assists in a superb all-around game.
The victory improved SRV’s record to 21-5 and 10-1 in the EBAL. SRV still has a chance to win the league, with Foothill an unbeaten 11-0. If Foothill loses its last two league games and SRV wins out, it will be league champions.
No. 14 Menlo School 3, No. 13 Mercy-Burlingame 1
Menlo School kept pace with Sacred Heart Prep at the top of the WBAL standings with a 25-23, 23-25, 25-22, 25-23 victory against a ranked Mercy team. Menlo senior Cleo Hardin had 27 kills, and Lily Kautai had 46 assists. Senior Sofia Main had seven aces, and Ava Wang had 13 kills. Menlo School is 4-1 in league play, while Mercy dropped to 2-3.
El Camino 3, Woodside 2
El Camino is now tied with Woodside at the top of the PAL-Ocean Divison after slipping past the Wildcats 25-19, 25-18, 13-25, 14-25, 15-11. Italia Ghilarducci led the team with 13 kills and four aces, while Penelope Madayag chipped in 12 kills, two aces and nine digs. Rianna Petterson had 9 kills and four blocks as El Camino ended the night level with Woodside at 9-1 in league play.
Capuchino 3, Jefferson 0
Capuchino swept Jefferson 25-13, 25-9, 25-15 thanks in large part to the great play of libero Sophia Cacianti, who coach Allen Lau said did a great job of “anchoring the back row with accurate passing.” Maya Canas had 10 kills, and Jana Hernandez and Miya Sekioka each had a few aces. Alessia Perez was key in setting up her teammates, and Lau said Grace Edwards did exactly what the team needed when she filled in as a front row player despite being a defensive specialist.
Campolindo 3, College Park 0
After falling behind 8-2 in the first set, Campolindo rallied and ended up winning 25-18, 25-15, 25-19 to prevail in its third consecutive match and say a perfect 8-0 in league play. Mia Wallach had a team-high 16 kills, and senior Hanna Bjornson had nine kills and a team-high nine digs. Sierra Worster had four aces, and Fiona Markey and Ava Rogers each had four kills on five attempts.
Encinal 3, Castro Valley 1
Encinal handed Castro Valley its first loss in MVAL/WACC play, defeating the Trojans 25-15, 25-21, 21-25, 25-23. Castro Valley coach Maggie Del Grande said Tessa Smith led her team in kills.
GIRLS WATER POLO
Palo Alto 12, Los Altos 7
Palo Alto improved to 9-2 in SCVAL-De Anza Division play after Sabrina Meyers scored four goals to lead coach Deke Rowell’s Vikings to their 14th victory overall. Fallon Porter and Grace Henderson each scored three goals for Palo Alto. Los Altos’ Sophia Boschken played valiantly in defeat, pouring in five goals. Palo Alto has won 11 of its last 12 games, the lone defeat being an 11-9 thriller against league-leading Los Gatos.
Bishop O’Dowd 12, Alameda 8
Bishop O’Dowd won its 12th consecutive match and got a number of contributions from several players in league play. Mia Walsh had four goals and two assists, and senior captain Riley Teixeira scored three goals and dished out two assists. Delaney Welch had three ejections drawn a trio of assists. Cooper Graham had three goals and two assists, and sophomore Zoey Goss rounded out the scoring with a goal. Bishop O’Dowd improved to 16-1.
Liberty 18, Pittsburg 1
Eight Liberty players scored a goal and seven of them had an assist in a rout over Pittsburg in BVAL play. Gianna Celli led all players with five goals, and Athena Ayers had four goals and an assist. Karisma Gallegos scored three goals and handed out two assists, and Vivian Esmond and Lindsey Hall combined for four goals and three assists. Cali Calma and Adelyn St. Michel each had a goal and an assist. Morgan Sanchez had four steals, and Kayla Ross was a playmaker, giving out three assists and nabbing five steals. Goalie Savannah Campos had 10 saves, and also had an assist. Liberty improved to 14-5 and 3-0 in the BVAL.
GIRLS FLAG FOOTBALL
San Ramon Valley 22, Amador Valley 0
San Ramon Valley won its 13th game of the season in a dominant defensive showing. Sydney Gann had three flag pulls and an interception, while Olivia Wheatley had two picks in the team’s fifth shutout of the season. Ella Gunderson had seven catches for 98 yards and two TDs, and quarterback Kaitlyn Bray completed 12 of 27 pases for 125 yards and two TDs. Bray also ran for 24 yards and another touchdown.
California 25, Monte Vista 0
Cal quarterback Kylie Tabor threw three touchdowns and sophomore Caili Auyeung tossed another one as California cruised to the victory. Senior Lauren Grgurina caught two TDs, and Madden Le Bouder and Mikayla Nielsen each caught one touchdown. The defense took advantage of errant passes, with Nadia Sherman and Olivia Young each having one interception.
Granada 18, San Ramon Valley 8
Granada’s defense stymied San Ramon Valley in the second game, holding the Wolves to a lone touchdown by Gunderson. Katelyn Stepkowski, Sophia Bertolo, Caitlyn Holmes and Emma Dunn each had one interception apiece. Offensively, Isabel Moen threw two TDs for Granada, with Kaitlyn Brongiel and Ava Linhart catching one TD each. Kayla Clarin scored a rushing TD, and Saskia Rabb had three catches for almost 90 yards. SRV’s Gann had seven flag pulls, and teammate Hania Bowes had an interception.
California 27, Dublin 7
Cal High’s senior quarterback Kylie Tabor threw three more touchdowns in her second game of the night, this time connecting with Mary Dilling, Olivia Young and Grgurina on the scoring passes. Gurgurina also had two interceptions, returning one of them all the way for six points. Emma Perry had an interception too.
Granada 26, Amador Valley 0
Amador Valley was unable to score against SRV or Granada, with Bertolo pacing the Granada defense with one tackles and two interceptions. Moen ran for two TDs and threw for two more, and Clarin and Linhart each caught a touchdown.