Redwood Beats San Rafael to Claim MCAL Boys Volleyball Lead

In Marin County’s fierce MCAL race, Redwood grabbed a straight-sets win over San Rafael. The result puts them at the top of the league standings and tightens the race for seeding as the regular season wraps up in San Anselmo, Novato, and, honestly, everywhere in between.

The Giants from Larkspur swept the Bulldogs in a match that basically decided the crown with just one weekend to go. Now, we’re looking at a dramatic finale for senior night in nearby Kentfield and Mill Valley.

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Redwood’s MCAL Triumph Could Define the Stretch Run

From the first rally, Redwood High School’s Giants showed the form that’s carried them to a 15-7 record and a 12-1 league mark. Setter Leighton Olsen pointed to preparation and energy as the spark behind Redwood’s sharp start.

That’s a familiar rhythm for a program that’s dominated MCAL play in recent seasons. Will Garland, the Giants’ standout middle, hammered 17 kills—eight of them in the aggressive first set, setting the tone against San Rafael’s Bulldogs.

The second set turned into a marathon. The score tied at 22-22 and stayed that way all the way to 30-30.

Redwood finally edged ahead 32-30 on Grady Armstrong’s kill and an ace. That surge in the second frame really shows how tightly contested MCAL volleyball has become, even when the top team jumps out in front.

Redwood closed out the third set 25-18, sealing a 3-0 sweep that echoed through Marin County gyms—from downtown San Rafael to the hills above Tiburon.

For San Rafael, the loss stings—mostly because a win would’ve made the race even closer. The Bulldogs, now 13-7 overall and 11-2 in MCAL play, still control their path toward a favorable playoff seed.

They’ve already clinched at least a first-round bye through tiebreakers over Tamalpais (Tam). Bulldogs coach Lynn Stein, who brought in transfer Mason Stein, praised her team’s defensive backbone.

She said the league title run had been in sight since the start of the season in Marin County towns like San Anselmo and Novato. On the night, Mason Stein added 13 kills.

Rowen Saunders chipped in eight kills and strong serve reception. Leo Datnow racked up 26 digs for the Bulldogs.

That defense kept San Rafael in rallies long enough to threaten late. But Redwood’s offense found the winning rhythm again and again in their Larkspur gym.

What the Win Means for Marin’s Playoff Road

With this win, Redwood heads into the final day of the regular season with at least a share of the MCAL crown. They have a real shot at locking the top seed for the third straight year.

If the Giants beat San Marin on Thursday, the top seed is theirs—extending a wild 36-1 league run over that stretch. It just reinforces Redwood as the team to beat in Marin County’s volleyball postseason.

San Rafael’s still in the mix for a high seed, thanks to tiebreakers and a strong resume built across Novato and Terra Linda. The Bulldogs have already secured a bye and a good spot to move through the playoff brackets with some confidence.

Honestly, their depth and experience—shaped by programs in Kentfield and San Anselmo—could make things interesting in the weeks ahead.

Nearby MCAL Results Signal a Busy Night Across Marin

The rest of the league action touched every corner of Marin County. Tamalpais High’s home in Mill Valley saw plenty of excitement, and Terra Linda in San Rafael felt the pressure too.

These results shaped the playoff picture just as much as the Redwood-San Rafael showdown. Over the weekend, every roster from Novato to San Anselmo faced a real test.

Several teams showed resilience. Some even flashed a bit of tactical clarity in this tight MCAL race.

Nearby MCAL results:

Tam survived Novato in five sets. The win keeps Tam’s playoff hopes alive as the season winds down in Mill Valley.
Archie Williams swept Marin Catholic. That result sent ripples through San Rafael and Kentfield as teams scramble for position.
San Marin clinched the sixth playoff spot with a four-set win over Terra Linda. Novato’s postseason hopes got a boost from that outcome.

Marin County’s gearing up for the final MCAL weekend. Families in Larkspur and San Rafael will be watching the last-night drama unfold.

Redwood’s run shows off the depth and discipline of Marin County volleyball. San Rafael’s Bulldogs have momentum and could still shake up the seeding in the days ahead.

The Bay Area’s coastal communities—Novato up north, Mill Valley’s hills, Kentfield’s campus corridors, and San Anselmo’s bright gymnasiums—are buzzing right now. MCAL volleyball in Marin County keeps drawing in young athletes chasing both glory and a spot on a tightly knit league stage.

Here is the source article for this story: Boys volleyball: Redwood tops San Rafael in battle for first place

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