AWHS girls varsity volleyball faced off against Miramonte High School on Wednesday, Nov. 3 at the AWHS home gym. The Falcons came into the game as the #2 seed in the North Coast Section (NCS) Championships, and the Miramonte Matadors came as the #3 seed. Both teams won their quarterfinal matchups and faced off in Wednesday’s semifinal match, which AWHS eventually won in five sets. 

The first set started off with Miramonte taking a 3-0 lead, but AWHS came back to tie the set at 5-5. The teams scored back and forth for the rest of the set, eventually tying back up at 22 apiece. Miramonte went on a 3-0 run to win the first set 25-22. 

The second set was more of the same, with neither team being able to extend their lead from the other. The set was tied up at 11 points each and was very competitive until the Falcons broke out to a 17-12 lead. They kept up their lead and eventually won the set 25-16. 

AWHS continued their momentum from their second set victory and jumped to a 12-10 lead. Miramonte followed the competitive play and did not let AWHS extend their lead any further. However, AWHS held onto their slim lead, winning the set 25-21.

In the fourth set, the Matadors jumped out to a 5-1 lead, but the Falcons tied  it back up at 7-7. The two teams traded off with scoring and were unable to create a gap until Miramonte took a 17-14 lead. Miramonte kept their lead and won the set 25-22.

The two teams went into the fifth and final set tied up at two sets apiece. Neither team was able to get distance from the other, and ended up being tied at 9-9. AWHS went on a 5-0 run and took a 14-9 lead. Miramonte continued to fight in what would be their final NCS match, and won two straight points, but AWHS pulled through to win the fifth set 15-11. 

“The girls fought hard, and showed grit and determination,” said girls varsity volleyball coach Lisa Hudson, “I am very proud of how well we played tonight even though it was a difficult game.”

With the win in the semifinal, AWHS is to face off against The Branson School on Saturday, Nov. 6 in the championship game played at College of Marin. The Falcons look forward to a rematch against Branson, and the seniors are excited to get a chance to win an NCS title for the first time in their careers.

“Playing in the championship game means a lot to us seniors, because we have never been this far in NCS,” senior setter Olivia Dow said, “We are all super stoked for the championship game and hopefully we can take the championship title.”