On Tuesday, Oct. 1, the Archie Williams varsity girls volleyball team met The Branson School Bulls on the court for an away game. The game began at 5:30 p.m. with the Falcons coming onto the court with unmatched energy but ultimately losing 3-0. The loss secures the Falcons a sixth-place ranking in the Marin County Athletic League, with a 2-3 record.
The first set started with Branson serving. Archie Williams sophomore Lydia Battaglia secured a spike, scoring the first point of the game for the Falcons, 1-0. Following this play, the Bulls hit the ball out of bounds, scoring the second point for the Falcons. The next several minutes included the Bulls scoring four points for their team and a point for the Falcons, bringing the score to 4-3.
As the game continued, Branson took the lead, scoring point after point. The Bulls dominated the court, forcing the Falcons to call a timeout. Archie Williams huddled up to talk strategy and headed back on the court a couple of minutes later. The Bulls continued their commanding momentum, winning the first set 25-12.
Archie Williams junior Alyse Rosen holds Branson’s skills on the court in high regard.
“I mean, Branson is number one, but I told my team before the game just to go out there and have fun,” Alyse said.
At the start of the second set, Branson scored two quick points from Archie Williams hitting the ball out of bounds. The Falcons called their second timeout, but it proved ineffective. The second set ended 25-13 after both teams repeatedly dove back and forth, in favor of the Bulls.
Varsity girls volleyball head coach Lisa Hudson believes the Falcons have room for improvement.
“We had some challenges passing. If you can’t pass, you can’t get any of your offense going. [We can improve on] setting up our passing,” Hudson said.
The third set was the closest one yet, but the Bulls still prevailed. Branson had multiple scoring runs, getting points at will. Though Archie Williams went on their own scoring runs, the Falcons could not come back fully, losing the final set 24-20
Sophomore Sadie Weinberg believes that, despite the loss, the Falcons put up a strong fight.
“Obviously we lost, but considering they’re such a good team, I think we did pretty well,” Sadie said.
Archie Williams will move past the loss and look for victory during their next game Friday, Oct. 4, against Redwood High School at the Falcons’ home gym.
