Sports briefs: San Rafael rallies for five-set win

Abby Sims had 36 assists as the San Rafael High girls volleyball team picked up its first win of the young season, rallying for a dramatic 9-25, 28-26, 16-25, 25-20, 16-14 victory against Jesse Bethel on Thursday night.

Sims, who also had four aces, set up outside hitters Elsa Kehoe and Audrey Merk for 11 kills apiece. Faith Pu’u had five kills and four blocks for the Bulldogs (1-1).

• Celia Tolmie dished out 38 assists as Branson opened up its campaign with a 25-11, 25-15, 25-12 road win against Berkeley on Thursday. Elena Fisher narrowly missed a double-double with 10 kills and nine digs. Blake Cussen added 10 kills and seven digs for the Bulls (1-0). Abby King (nine kills, four blocks) and Lauren Dignan (12 digs, seven aces) also had strong games.
• Mia Patino and Liza Reed both eclipsed the 20-dig mark as Terra Linda won its second consecutive game, 25-19, 25-18, 25-21, against Montgomery on Thursday. Patino had a team-high 21 digs and added two aces while Reed had 20 digs, six kills and a pair of aces. The Trojans (2-0) also got a big game from Leah Matthewson, who had 17 assists, three kills, three aces, and two blocks.
• Natalia Clifford posted 11 kills and three aces as Tam outlasted Vintage in three hard-fought sets, 25-14, 27-25, 26-24. Emmeline Sandgren had 23 assists, four kills, and three blocks for the Red-tailed Hawks (2-0). Avery Blount added five kills and three aces. Annie Payne had three aces and four digs.
• Dylan Hayse had eight kills and six blocks as Novato opened the season with a 25-19, 20-25, 19-25, 18-25 loss to Piner on Thursday. The Hornets (0-1) got 24 assists from Petra Rabb and 15 kills from Zoie Halsing. Talia Anand played great defense, according to coach Jennifer Woodall.
• Sylvia Tuerke had a team-high nine kills as San Marin took down Maria Carrillo in three sets on Thursday, 25-16, 25-22, 25-29. Brianna Nottingham added eight kills and Paige Brumley had six kills and three aces. Gabi Ginocchio had 16 assists and two aces for the Mustangs (2-0).