Redwood Giants players celebrate closing out their victory over Windsor during the third set of an NCS Division II volleyball semifinal, Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023 in Larkspur, Calif. (D. Ross Cameron/Special to the Marin Independent Journal)
Redwood setter Katie Lazzareschi, left, and outside hitter Madeleine Wagner (9) converge to return a shot by the Windsor Jaguars during the third set of an NCS Division II volleyball semifinal, Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023 in Larkspur, Calif. (D. Ross Cameron/Special to the Marin Independent Journal)
Redwood outside hitter Jaden Hendrickson (2) spikes a shot between a pair of Windsor defenders during the second set of an NCS Division II volleyball semifinal, Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023 in Larkspur, Calif. (D. Ross Cameron/Special to the Marin Independent Journal)
Redwood's Ella Moran (17) dives to make the dig on a kill attempt by Windsor during the third set of an NCS Division II volleyball semifinal, Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023 in Larkspur, Calif. (D. Ross Cameron/Special to the Marin Independent Journal)
Redwood setter Neave Cleary (15) sets the ball for middle blocker Hanna Smith (16) during the first set of an NCS Division II volleyball semifinal, Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023 in Larkspur, Calif. (D. Ross Cameron/Special to the Marin Independent Journal)
Redwood outside hitter Jaden Hendrickson (2) digs a Windsor Jaguars service during the first set of an NCS Division II volleyball semifinal, Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023 in Larkspur, Calif. Redwood's Ella Moran (17) watches the action. (D. Ross Cameron/Special to the Marin Independent Journal)
Redwood setter Katie Lazzareschi, left, and outside hitter Madeleine Wagner (9) converge to return a shot by the Windsor Jaguars during the third set of an NCS Division II volleyball semifinal, Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023 in Larkspur, Calif. (D. Ross Cameron/Special to the Marin Independent Journal)
Redwood outside hitter Jaden Hendrickson (2) digs a service from Windsor during the first set of an NCS Division II volleyball semifinal, Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023 in Larkspur, Calif. (D. Ross Cameron/Special to the Marin Independent Journal)
Redwood setter Katie Lazzareschi, left, and outside hitter Madeleine Wagner (9) converge to return a shot by the Windsor Jaguars during the third set of an NCS Division II volleyball semifinal, Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023 in Larkspur, Calif. (D. Ross Cameron/Special to the Marin Independent Journal)
The Redwood bench cheers on their team against Windsor during the third set of an NCS Division II volleyball semifinal, Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023 in Larkspur, Calif. (D. Ross Cameron/Special to the Marin Independent Journal)
Redwood Giants players celebrate a point against the Windsor Jaguars during the first set of an NCS Division II volleyball semifinal, Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023 in Larkspur, Calif. (D. Ross Cameron/Special to the Marin Independent Journal)
Redwood head coach Jake Spain smiles as he watches his players take on Windsor during the first set of an NCS Division II volleyball semifinal, Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023 in Larkspur, Calif. (D. Ross Cameron/Special to the Marin Independent Journal)
Redwood head coach Jake Spain warms up his players before they take on the Windsor Jaguars in an NCS Division II volleyball semifinal, Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023 in Larkspur, Calif. (D. Ross Cameron/Special to the Marin Independent Journal)
Redwood outside hitter Madeleine Wagner (9) spikes a ball past Windsor middle blocker Molly Ryan (13) during the second set of an NCS Division II volleyball semifinal, Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023 in Larkspur, Calif. (D. Ross Cameron/Special to the Marin Independent Journal)
Windsor head coach Christen Hamilton calls out instructions for her players during the first set of an NCS Division II volleyball semifinal against the Redwood Giants, Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023 in Larkspur, Calif. (D. Ross Cameron/Special to the Marin Independent Journal)
The Redwood High girls volleyball team was swept earlier in the season by Windsor but turned around and took down the Jaguars in two sets at a tournament later in the year so there was some genuine intrigue heading into Wednesday’s North Coast Section Division II semifinal in Larkspur.
The second-seeded Giants came up clutch in the biggest moments, winning a nip-and-tuck first set then holding off the No. 3 Jaguars for a 26-24, 25-19, 25-16 victory.
The victory sends Redwood (28-6) into its second D-II championship game in three years. The Giants are set to face top-seeded Branson (28-4) for the section title at 7 p.m. Saturday at College of Marin.
“We’re so excited,” outside hitter Jaden Hendrickson said. “We’ve worked so hard, especially the past few weeks and just put so much effort into everything.”
Branson is riding a 13-match winning streak but the Giants are one of just two teams – Archbishop Mitty being the other – to take a set off the Bulls during that stretch.
The first set ended up being the key against Windsor (27-7). The Jaguars held a slim lead for the entire first half of the set and Redwood didn’t catch them until it was 13-13.
The Giants inched back in front at 20-19 on a double touch by Windsor. Kills by Madeleine Wagner and Hendrickson helped Redwood secure two set points at 24-22.
Windsor leveled things up at 24-24 and appeared to be in full control of the next point as a Redwood player had to tumble into the bench in an effort to keep the ball alive. Redwood put the ball back over the net and eventually went in front 25-24 on a hitting error by Windsor.
Setter Katie Lazzareschi went back to serve for the set and unleashed a swerving, dipping effort that buzzed over the net and found an open spot on the court to hand Redwood an all-important 1-0 lead.
“Whenever (Lazzareschi) comes in, she just brings the best energy,” Hendrickson said. “There wasn’t a doubt in my mind that she wasn’t going to rip her best serve and I’m really proud that that was the result of that serve. She’s amazing and as a freshman to have the confidence to rip your best serve on game point is really special.”
Redwood pounced on Windsor for a 12-5 lead in the second set but the Jaguars battled back and tied things at 14-14. Windsor raised its level defensively, forcing Redwood to do the same. The second set featured several long rallies with both teams sprawling all over the court in an effort to gain control of the match.
One of those rallies occurred at 14-14, with the Jaguars making multiple impressive digs to stay in the point. Lazzareschi caught the Jaguars off guard with a setter dump and Redwood won the next five points to gain some separation.
Redwood went ahead 2-0 on one of Hendrickson’s team-high 15 kills.
“We just out-gritted them in a way,” Hendrickson said. “We had full pursuit on every single point, every single play. We wanted every last point and we wanted to win every single play so we laid out, we dove for every ball and made every effort.”
Windsor never led in the third set but hung around to be within 16-13 down the stretch. Hanna Smith and Neeva Gaine came up with several key plays down the stretch to help close out the match in three.
“They did a great job,” Redwood coach Jake Spain said. “Those two girls are awesome. Every day in the gym, no complaints, they show up and you know what you’re getting with those two.”
Gaine had eight kills for the Giants. Ella Moran scored a 2.7 rating out of a maximum 3.0 in serve receive. Lazzareschi had 20 assists and Hendrickson added 10 digs.
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