Annie Payne and Natalia Clifford led a 6-2 offense – six hitters, two setters – to help the shorthanded Tam High girls volleyball team to a 17-25, 25-9, 20-25, 25-15 and 15-10 win over the university on Tuesday night.

For the Red-tailed Hawks (3-0), head coach Ray Karter and setter Emmeline Sandgren were absent due to illness.

“Annie and Natalia ran a 6-2, which presented some challenges for us because we hadn’t practiced it at all and I wasn’t there,” Karter said.

Clifford made some key kills down the stretch as Tam outlasted the varsity. The Red-tailed Hawks won their first sectional title in program history last season by defeating the Red Devils in the North Coast Section Division IV title game.

• San Marin suffered its first loss of the young season, falling to Petaluma on Tuesday by scores of 22-25, 23-25 ​​and 20-25. Sylvia Tuerke led the Mustangs (2-1) with 14 kills and added two aces. Brianna Nottingham had eight kills and three aces. Sawyer Zappelli had four kills, three blocks and three aces.
• Redwood (1-0) took a season-opening win against Monte Vista, winning 25-14, 25-17 and 25-20.
• Abby Sims had 23 assists as San Rafael defeated Casa Grande 26-24, 25-17 and 25-19 on Tuesday. Olivia Dugan had the most on the team with 17 digs, while Elsa Kehoe led the Bulldogs (5-3) in both kills (14) and aces (eight). Sophia Everett and Cherise Castagne each had three kills.