On Monday night, the Tam Hawks hosted the Marin Catholic Wildcats in their home gym. These two teams entered this game in the top 10 of the North Coast Section, with the Wildcats at No.1 and the Hawks at No.8. Last time these teams met was October 4, 2024, where Marin Catholic topped Tam, winning three sets to one. Tam came into this match with a 14-5 record, eager for a win over the 13-3 Wildcats.

Both teams came out with intensity; points went back and forth. Tam showed they were capable of putting up a fight, even as the underdogs. However the energy seemed to be no match for Marin Catholic’s playmaking and strength, as the Wildcats took the first set 25-18. 

In the second set, Tam was still motivated to win the game. They started connecting on much needed spikes, hustling around the court, and cut it to 14-18 late in the set. The teams exchanged points, but Tam could not find a way to stop Marin Catholic sophomore Carolina Delaney’s kills. The Hawks dropped the set 25-20. 

The Hawks walked into the third set with a chip on their shoulder, going up 8-2 quickly, forcing a Marin Catholic timeout. The home crowd started to come to life, hoping the Hawks would make the improbable comeback. The Wildcats immediately won long rallies of their own, and some momentum back, making it only 10-7. The Hawks No.10, Natalie Stanford, made several huge spikes, in cohesion with junior Emmeline Sandgren’s sets, creating a momentum shift, putting the Hawks back up 13-7. The teams fought hard, and after multiple momentum changing points, the Wildcats tied it back up at 22-22.The Wildcats put their foot on the gas and closed out the last three points, ending Tam’s efforts, and taking the sweep. 

 Junior Avery Blount said after the game, “Our team has issues getting in our own heads. We know a lot of these MC players through club (volleyball), which affects how we play on the court. It’s not a skill problem but rather a mental one.” The Hawks hope to bounce back on Friday against Novato.