Locals hunting for NCAA volleyball gold
A pair of Marin players are still in the mix as the NCAA Women's volleyball tournament hits the Final Four stage on Thursday.
Former San Marin High and Marin Catholic standout Bella Bergmark and No. 1 overall seeded University of Texas are set to face No. 2 seed University of San Diego — with former MC standout Grace Oliva on the roster.
Bergmark had a pair of kills on four swings in Texas' quarterfinal victory against Ohio State on Dec. 10. All told, Bergmark has nine kills on 13 swings while playing in three of four games for the Longhorns, who are making their 14th Final Four appearance.
Oliva has not played during the NCAA Tournament to this point for San Diego.
The two players missed each other by a single season at MC. Bergmark graduated following the 2017-8 season and Oliva was a freshman on the 2018-9 team.
Women's basketball
The Penguins took an energetic start as Dominican University defeated Chaminade, 83-35, in San Rafael on Wednesday.
Dominican took a 22-7 lead in the first quarter and then dominated both ends of the court all night. After taking a 43-22 lead by halftime, the Penguins held Chaminade to just one point in the third quarter.
Alaiyah San Juan led the Penguins with 15 points and five rebounds. Keyonee Neal racked up 14 points and nine rebounds, while Amelia Brady grabbed 14 points and six rebounds. Brittney Cedeno came through with 13 points and eight rebounds.
Girls soccer
Gaby Steele set up Sophia Duran twice for goals in the second half as Branson pulled away for a 3-0 victory against Marin Academy on Wednesday. Duran netted her first goal in the 52nd minute to break a scoreless tie then added a late insurance goal to make it 3-0 Bulls. Ally Hsieh scored the second goal in the 55th minute on an assist by Catrin Howell.
• Catrin Howell and Ally Hsieh both scored twice as Branson rolled to a 6-0 win against Rancho Cotate on Tuesday night. Imogen Brown and Audrey Spaly also had goals for the Bulls (6-0-1).
Boys soccer
Drew Holden scored twice to cap a Branson flurry late in the first half, leading the Bulls to a 3-0 win against Urban. The Bulls (2-3-2) found the breakthrough goal in the 33rd minute when Matyas Stanek scored on an assist from Bode Dossey. Holden netted in the 37th and 40th minutes, on assists by Jonah Sher and Brody Buxton, respectively.
Boys basketball
Max Funk posted double-double and three Trojans players scored in double figures as Terra Linda held off Lick Wilmerding, 62-54, on Tuesday in nonleague action.
Funk's highlight night included 16 points, 16 rebounds, three blocks and two steals. Dylan Martin was the high scorer for Terra Linda with 18 points, to go with five rebounds and two assists. Jacob Martin tallied 11 points, four rebounds, two steals and an assist, and Grady Bowers added nine points, four assists, three rebounds and three steals for the Trojans (5-2).