Sports briefs: Tam volleyball team starts off season with a win

Natalia Clifford had 14 kills, including a number of clutch ones down the stretch, to help the Tam High girls volleyball team secure a 19-25, 25-14, 25-20, 25-22 victory in its season opener at Windsor on Tuesday night.

“There were runs by both teams and it got pretty close,” Tam coach Ray Karter said. “It was tied at 18, 19, 20. Right when it mattered, Natalia Clifford would get a kill and, as a senior and a captain, made sure our team stayed focused.”

Emmeline Sandgren had 33 assists and two blocks. Natalie Stanford added 12 kills, five digs, and two blocks. Reese Murphy had five kills and five blocks for the Red-tailed Hawks (1-0).

• Brianna Nottingham had eight kills and six aces to help San Marin start off the season with a 25021, 25-9, 25-16 victory against Rancho Cotate on Tuesday. Sylvia Tuerke added seven kills and three aces for the Mustangs (1-0), while Gabi Ginocchio had 19 assists.
• Terra Linda also started its campaign with a win, securing a 25-22, 25-20, 25-16 victory against Hercules on Tuesday. The Trojans (1-0) were led by Mia Patino (28 digs, two aces), Josie Campo (eight kills, 12 digs), and Kayli Chen (seven kills, four aces, two blocks).
• Elsa Kehoe paced San Rafael with 13 kills and 18 digs as the Bulldogs began the season with a 14-25, 14-25, 25-17, 21-25 loss to Piner on Tuesday. Abby Sims added 21 assists for the Bulldogs (0-1), who also got 17 digs from Olivia Dugan. Cassie Harries-Jones had four kills and two aces, Audrey Merk had 13 digs, and Cherise Castagne had six blocks.

Prep field hockey

Junior Sarah Cormier was credited with five goals as Tam High opened the season with an 11-0 victory over Archie Williams on Monday.