Girls’ varsity volleyball swept San Rafael Thursday evening despite a highly contested second set. The Giants won in three consecutive sets with scores of 25-5, 28-26, and 25-12.

The team had a high level of intensity in the first and third set, pulling ahead and winning both by double digits.

Defensively, the Giants took control early in the first set, dominating the Bulldogs 25-5.

“We were really motivated in the first set to set the tone for the rest of the game,” said senior captain Elly Lundberg.

The high level of intensity carried over into the second set, as Lundberg served six straight points to give the Giants a 6-0 lead. As the set progressed, San Rafael didn’t show any signs of giving up, and was able to tie the set 15-15. Both teams continued to trade the lead back and forth, each time only pulling ahead by one point.

According to Lundberg, staying focused for the entirety of the game is something the team occasionally struggles with.

Late in the set senior Kylie Kvam served four straight points to tie the game 24-24.

Key blocking by Kvam and senior Marguerite Spaethling contributed to the Giants’ strong defense.

The girls’ varsity volleyball team will have a first round bye in the MCAL playoffs next week, and their opponent will be determined Tuesday.