Plenty of standouts as postseason play ramps up
We’re still a few days away from peak postseason, when football joins the fray, but there was no shortage of standouts from the playoffs that are already underway.
Branson’s tennis ace and San Domenico’s top cross country runner both claimed individual league titles this past week. Branson’s star setter also had a big week as the Bulls claimed yet another section title in girls volleyball.
Marin Academy advanced in the boys water polo playoffs thanks to a nine-goal performance. The final weekend of regularseason football saw San Rafael snap its Bell Game losing streak and Marin Catholic wrap up the league title.
ANNA
LARDNER, BRANSON
After going through the MCAL season without a loss at No. 1 singles, Lardner entered the MCAL singles tournament with a target on her back. Lardner went 3-0, including a victory over No. 2 seed En-Ya Zhang of Terra Linda to claim the title. Earlier in the week, Lardner
helped Branson spring an upset against undefeated Redwood in the team final. The Bulls loaded up on doubles, hoping to sweep those three matches and rely on
Lardner to win at No. 1 singles. The plan worked as the Bulls rallied for a 4-3 victory.
HAYLEY BALLARD, SAN DOMENICO
The Panthers’ top runner continued her dominant season by winning the Bay Counties League West title at Linley Meadows on Friday. Ballard took first place at all three BCL West league meets this season. The junior turns her attention to the North Coast Section meet on Nov. 20 in Hayward with hopes of qualifying for the State Meet in Clovis. The MCAL is holding its cross country championships on Wednesday at Indian Valley College.
MC’s senior signal caller threw five touchdown passes as the Wildcats rolled to a 41-0 lead at the half against Tam on Saturday to claim the MCAL title and wrap up the No. 1 seed in the North Coast Section D-IV playoffs. Ingrassia completed 13 of his 21 pass attempts for 277 yards and found four different receivers for touchdowns — Kyle McBride (two), Charles Williams, Charlie Knapp and J.R. Bosch.
LOGAN TUSHER, BRANSON VOLLEYBALL The Bulls’ star setter had a pair of monster games to help lead Branson to its 11th section title in the past 13 years. Tusher piled up 41 assists and 10 digs in a three-set win against Tam then followed that up with 37 assists and 14 digs in a threesetter against Archie Williams in the championship game. Branson was pulled into the Open Division for the state playoffs which begin on Wednesday.
CONNOR DICKINSON, MARIN
ACADEMY WATER POLO The Wildcats scored early and often to advance in the North Coast Section Division II playoffs on Saturday with Dickinson piling up a team-high nine goals in an 18-15 victory against Newark Memorial.
Ferreri gave the Bulldogs the consistent ground game they needed to end an 18-game losing streak to crosstown rival Terra Linda in the Bell Game on Friday night. Ferreri carried the ball 20 times for 226 times to lead San Rafael to a 43-6 victory. The bruising running back also scored the first two touchdowns of the game for San Rafael. Quarterback Charlie Grant ran for three touchdowns.