Lucas Anderson, 19, and his Redwood men's volleyball teammates come off the floor after defeating Tam 3-0 during the MCAL men's volleyball championship game on Friday, April 26, 2024 in San Anselmo, California. (Sherry Lovers/Marine Independent Journal)
Redwood's Beckett Shuey spikes the ball for a score during the Marin County Athletic League boys championship game against Tamalpais High School on Friday, April 26, 2024 in San Anselmo. Redwood won 25-16, 25-17, 25-20. For more information, please visit www.marinij.com. (Sherry Lovers/Marine Independent Journal)
Redwood's Lucas Anderson, 19, serves during the MCAL Men's Volleyball Championship game against Tam on Friday, April 26, 2024 in San Anselmo, California. No. 1 Redwood defeated No. 3 Tam, 3-0. (Sherry Lovers/Marine Independent Journal)
Tam defender David Bloom, 23, blocks a ball hit by Redwood's Beckett Shuey, 15, during the MCAL men's volleyball championship game on Friday, April 26, 2024, in San Anselmo, California. and Vincenzo Bezerra (7 years old). They defeated 3rd place Tamu 3-0. (Sherry Lovers/Marine Independent Journal)
Owen Penrose, 15, of Tam College digs for a redwood ball to make a save during the MCAL Men's Volleyball Championship game on Friday, April 26, 2024 in San Anselmo, California. No. 1 Redwood defeated No. 3 Tam, 3-0. (Sherry Lovers/Marine Independent Journal)
Tam's Seth Cabrera-Ampey, 20, sets the ball during the MCAL Men's Volleyball Championship game against Redwood on Friday, April 26, 2024 in San Anselmo, California. No. 1 Redwood defeated No. 3 Tam, 3-0. (Sherry Lovers/Marine Independent Journal)
The Redwood men's volleyball team celebrates after defeating Tam 3-0 in the MCAL men's volleyball championship game on Friday, April 26, 2024 in San Anselmo, California. (Sherry LaVars/Marin Independent Journal)
The Redwood men's volleyball team celebrates after defeating Tam 3-0 in the MCAL men's volleyball championship game on Friday, April 26, 2024 in San Anselmo, California. (Sherry LaVars/Marin Independent Journal)
Tam College's Owen Penrose, 15, touches the ball with his fingertips as a Redwood defender jumps for a block during the MCAL Men's Volleyball Championship game on Friday, April 26, 2024 in San Anselmo, California. age). First place Redwood defeated third place. Tam 3-0. (Sherry Lovers/Marine Independent Journal)
Evan Wang, 2, of Redwood, hits David Bloom, 23, of Tam, at the net during the MCAL boys volleyball championship game on Friday, April 26, 2024, in San Anselmo, California. blocked the ball. Number 1 Redwood defeated Number 1 Redwood. 3 Tam 3-0. (Sherry Lovers/Marine Independent Journal)
The Redwood men's volleyball bench celebrates after defeating Tam 3-0 in the MCAL men's volleyball championship game on Friday, April 26, 2024 in San Anselmo, California. (Sherry Lovers/Marine Independent Journal)
Owen Penrose, 15, of Tam College digs for a redwood ball to make a save during the MCAL Men's Volleyball Championship game on Friday, April 26, 2024 in San Anselmo, California. No. 1 Redwood defeated No. 3 Tam, 3-0. (Sherry Lovers/Marine Independent Journal)
Redwood's William Garland, 7, hits Tam's Nathan Friedman Lowenthal, 25, at the net during the MCAL Men's Volleyball Championship game on Friday, April 26, 2024 in San Anselmo, California. He hit a ball that broke the ball (years old). No. 1 Redwood beat No. 1. .3 Tam 3-0. (Sherry Lovers/Marine Independent Journal)
Auden Baker, 4, of Redwood plays near the net during the MCAL boys volleyball championship game against Tam on Friday, April 26, 2024 in San Anselmo, California. No. 1 Redwood defeated No. 3 Tam, 3-0. (Sherry Lovers/Marine Independent Journal)
Redwood's Auden Baker, 4, and Beckett Shuey, 15, play Tam College's David during the MCAL Men's Volleyball Championship game on Friday, April 26, 2024 in San Anselmo, California. He jumped to try to block the ball that was hit by Bloom, 23. No. 1 Redwood defeated No. 3 Tam, 3-0. (Sherry Lovers/Marine Independent Journal)
Redwood men's volleyball assistant coach Matt Shuey speaks to his team during the MCAL men's volleyball championship game against Tam on Friday, April 26, 2024 in San Anselmo, California. No. 1 Redwood defeated No. 3 Tam, 3-0. (Sherry Lovers/Marine Independent Journal)
Tam's Yaseen Ashraf, 11, saves Redwood's ball during the MCAL men's volleyball championship game Friday, April 26, 2024, in San Anselmo, California. No. 1 Redwood defeated No. 3 Tam, 3-0. (Sherry Lovers/Marine Independent Journal)
Lucas Anderson returned to the service line Friday with his team trailing by one point in the first set. By the time Anderson finished his service, the Redwood High School volleyball team was well on its way to its first MCAL championship since 2019.
Top-seeded Redwood took control of the match en route to a sweep of third-seeded Tam (Archie Williams) 25-16, 25-27, 25-20.
“It feels great,” Anderson said. “We had a long run without winning a championship. I came in last year as a freshman with no idea what I was doing, so it feels great to come out here a year later and win a championship. ”
Overall, Anderson had seven aces and added six kills. Redwood also won the title with key performances from libero Jack Earley (17 points), setter Auden Baker (29 assists, five kills) and middle hitter Beckett Shuey (12 kills). Charlie Jarman added eight kills and five digs. Evan Wang had six kills and five digs.
“His passing and digging were great,” Shuey said. “Our libero, Jack, played great. He had a lot of good form. We went into this knowing it wasn't an easy game and we were going to play our best no matter what. I would have to.”
Redwood (17-5) automatically qualifies for the North Coast Section playoffs, which begin Tuesday. Tam (16-17) is also expected to receive an at-large bid.
Redwood trailed 16-14, but Schuey's kill set up Anderson for his second service run of the game. Anderson hit back-to-back aces to give the Giants an 18-16 lead, and Shuey made an instinctive play and made an unconventional shot to take a 20-16 lead.
Tam scrambled the Redwood defense at the point and set it at Shuey's chest level from close range.
“I've learned over the years that you can't have a perfect set every time,” Shuey said. “You have to adapt to it.”
Shuey flicked the ball just over the net with his elbow and found an open spot on the opposite court, allowing Anderson to continue serving.
Anderson hit two more aces, including one on set point to get the Giants back on track.
“We found a weak spot in their defense and we targeted that over and over again and it worked every time,” Anderson said. “That's kind of the key to winning these kinds of games. Just find your weaknesses and exploit them.”
Anderson ended up serving again early in the second set as Redwood turned a 2-1 lead into an 8-1 advantage.
“Lucas is definitely one of our best servers. He's the most consistent and he's a good, solid jump floater who moves around very consistently,” Redwood coach Ben Wang said.
Tam never recovered from the first run and was as close as 10-5 before Redwood pulled away and took a 2-0 lead.
The Giants led 12-6 in the third set, but Tam put together several rallies to keep the set close. The Red Tail Hawks caught up to 14-13 and were close again at 19-17, but were unable to catch Redwood.
Shuey finished the match with an incredible kill as this group of Giants celebrated their first championship together. Redwood won back-to-back titles in 2018 and 2019 before the 2020 season was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“We really built this team from the ground up,” Alley said. “When I came as a freshman, most of the players I had never seen on the court before. Through a history of excellence, we have strengthened our team and each year we have gotten closer and closer to the title. , I think the whole team is coming together now.”
Redwood dropped just one set in league play en route to the title.
“We have a very balanced team in terms of skill sets, so we have good defensive players and we have good players in net,” Ben Wang said. “Usually they're not the same people, but they complement each other and that's what allows good teams to win in volleyball.”