Boys volleyball: Redwood continues march, wraps up regular-season title

Redwood High’s 2024 campaign ended with a loss. The Giants have long memories and haven’t quite gotten over that as they prepare for another run at championship gold.

“Our team is looking to North Coast Section, MCAL championships, bigger things,” said Redwood senior Beckett Shewey, who powered the Giants to a 25-10, 25-17, 25-14 home victory over Archie Williams on Thursday.

With the win, the Giants (15-3, 12-0 MCAL) put their stamp on the regular-season league title and the top seed for the MCAL tournament. Second-place Tam (11-7, 7-2 MCAL) still has a mathematical chance to finish in a tie with Redwood, but the Giants hold the head-to-head tiebreaker.

Redwood, which lost to De La Salle in the second round of the NCS tournament last season, entered this season determined to not only defend their MCAL crown, but also lay claim to the NCS title. The Giants have made quick work of the opposition, with only one match going five games this season. Redwood beat rival Tam 3-2 on March 27.

“Redwood has a chance to go far,” Archie Williams coach Alex Perelson said. “They’ve got the talent and the experience. I hope we’ll have a chance to see them in the playoffs.”

The Giants expect to be in full playoff mode when they return from spring break with just four matches left in the regular season. Redwood is scheduled to host Terra Linda on April 17 and San Rafael on April 22, along with non-league matches against highly-regarded teams Livermore and Bellarmine College Prep, to prepare for the playoffs.

Archie Williams (6-18, 6-5), with nine freshmen, is still focused on earning a home game for the first round of the MCAL playoffs, despite the Falcons’ current 11-game skid that includes four losses at the Bishop O’Dowd tournament.

“Our team was pumped for this game against Redwood, but being young, the guys get antsy,” Perelson said. “The freshmen aren’t used to this pace of play.”

The 2024 MCAL Player of the Year Zach Wulff tried to set the tone for the Falcons, eager to avenge a 3-1 loss to the Giants on March 4.

“It’s not just about the numbers for Zach,” Perelson said. “The numbers are awesome, but his dedication and leadership are admirable to see. He’s taking the younger players under his wing.”

Redwood’s roster boasts elite club-level talent, led by the 6-foot-7 Shewey, who helped his Bay to Bay Club to the 2024 AAU National Championship. Giants junior setter Evan Wang is also in the Bay to Bay pipeline, while libero Jack Alley and outside hitter Charlie Gehrman are garnering All-America consideration.

With Shewey serving, Redwood rolled to a seven-point streak in the first game for an 11-3 lead, then kept the momentum rolling. Shewey’s thunderous barrage battered the Peregrine Falcons’ defense. Senior Eric Johnson’s swat over the net closed out the first game for the Giants. Shewey finished the night with 10 aces and six kills.

“It’s good to start the game fast,” Shewey said. “It gets everyone going. It lets everyone know we’re here to play. Volleyball is a game of swings in momentum. Without that momentum, it can be difficult.”

The Falcons recovered in the second game to challenge the Giants. Max Brasler injected some excitement into the Archie Williams attack, serving up an early ace. Redwood quickly came back to take the lead, but the Falcons rallied. A kill by Wulff, followed by an ace from James Clark gave Archie Williams a 14-12 lead.

Shewey, serving up aces, again spurred the Giants with a six-point run that gave Redwood a 19-14 advantage. Juniors Grady Armstrong, Lucas Anderson and Gavin Atherton kept the Giants rolling with outstanding front line action.

The Falcons couldn’t count on the Giants making any mistakes, so Archie Williams needed to be flawless in its play. Archie Williams, with Duco Niculant and Wulff, stepped up to nurse an early lead in the final frame. But an errant ball here and there gave the Giants the opening they needed.

Wang’s aggressive net play helped keep the Giants close, until Shewey stunned Falcons libero Nash Freeman with a rocket to his feet that started Redwood on an eight-point roll. Gehrman directed the rally that included attacks from Armstrong and Luke O’Donoghue as the Giants seized a 16-9 lead. Redwood then rode the momentum to the end.