The final week of the Marin County Athletic League (MCAL) regular season brought drama, standout performances, and playoff stakes for high school athletes all over the region.
From dominant water polo wins in Larkspur and San Rafael to gritty volleyball championship battles, teams like Redwood High, Tamalpais, San Marin, Marin Catholic, Marin Academy, and Archie Williams are now shifting focus to the postseason.
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This wrap-up highlights the big wins, star players, and local rivalries that make Marin County high school sports such a community favorite.
Redwood High Water Polo Wraps Regular Season in Style
In Larkspur, Redwood High’s girls water polo team closed out its regular season with an emphatic 21-9 win over San Rafael High.
Senior Morgan Sicklick led the way, scoring five goals and dishing out two assists. The Giants have a 15-5 overall record (8-6 in MCAL play) and head into playoffs as the No. 4 seed, riding a five-game win streak that’s got their fans buzzing.
They’ll host No. 5 seed San Marin High in Tuesday’s opener at Archie Williams High in San Anselmo.
Redwood’s playoff hopes lean on Sicklick’s leadership and the rising play of sophomore Samantha Riley, who chipped in four goals and grabbed two steals against San Rafael.
San Rafael’s Standout Despite Loss
For San Rafael High, the 2023 season has been about grit and flashes of individual brilliance.
Even in defeat, senior Alex Markwick netted five goals, showing she can make an impact in any game. The Bulldogs have some building blocks for next year.
Other Girls’ Water Polo Highlights Across Marin
Marin Academy in San Rafael finished its regular season strong.
Casey Nutting scored five goals to help the Wildcats top San Domenico of Sleepy Hollow, 14-3. They’ve put together a 14-4 overall record, a sign of steady play in and out of league.
In Mill Valley, Tamalpais High locked up the No. 2 playoff seed and a first-round bye after beating Novato High, 9-5.
Tam’s only league loss came against MCAL powerhouse Archie Williams High, which could set up some spicy rematches.
San Marin Steps Up
San Marin High of Novato rolled past Encinal, 19-9.
Hazel Loskutoff put up six goals and four steals, helping the team reach an 18-4 overall record. They’ve shown they can score in bunches and might be a real threat in the tournament.
Redwood Boys Dominate MCAL Season
On the boys’ side, Redwood High just keeps rolling.
The Giants finished MCAL play at a perfect 9-0, wrapping it up with a 17-6 win over San Rafael. Before playoffs, they’ll get a non-league test against Menlo School.
Tam High’s boys locked in the No. 2 MCAL seed and a first-round bye after overpowering Novato, 21-10.
Marin Catholic’s boys clinched the No. 6 seed with a 10-9 overall record and will face No. 3 Archie Williams in the first round. No. 5 San Marin is set to meet No. 4 Terra Linda High in their playoff opener.
Playoff Picture and Key Matchups
The MCAL playoffs have some matchups that should get fans talking:
- Redwood vs. San Marin (Girls, first round)
- Archie Williams vs. Marin Catholic (Boys, first round)
- San Marin vs. Terra Linda (Boys, first round)
Volleyball Championships Bring More Excitement
In volleyball, Redwood High rallied for a 3-2 win over Marin Catholic to clinch the MCAL championship.
This comeback adds another chapter to the lively Larkspur-Kentfield rivalry. Marin Academy also battled University High for the Bay Counties League (BCL) title, showing that Marin volleyball talent runs deep beyond just MCAL schools.
A Sporting Finish for Marin Communities
From San Rafael to Novato, Mill Valley to Terra Linda—there’s a buzz that takes over Marin County when playoff time rolls around. These towns share a love of competition that’s hard to miss.
Every game showcases the grit of athletes and coaches. Community pride? It’s right there, fueling the wild local sports culture.
With the postseason underway, expect intense matchups. There’ll be unforgettable plays and a wave of hometown support in gyms and pools all across the county.
Marin’s fall sports season isn’t just about games. It’s about rivalries, resilience, and feeling that thrill when you represent your town on the regional stage.
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Here is the source article for this story: Sports Briefs: Seeds set as MCAL water polo teams prepare for playoffs
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