Archie Williams pulls off thrilling volleyball win over Novato

Peregrine Falcons close gap in MCAL standings with 5-set victory

Apr. 17, 2026 at 2:48am

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A dynamic, abstract painting in neon colors capturing the intense energy and motion of a volleyball match, with players' forms and the ball blending into vibrant, expressive brushstrokes.The thrilling five-set volleyball clash between Archie Williams and Novato highlighted the competitive spirit and athletic prowess of both teams as they jockey for playoff positioning.San Rafael Today

Archie Williams High School's boys volleyball team defeated Novato High in a five-set thriller, 25-21, 16-25, 26-24, 20-25, 15-8. The win pulls the Peregrine Falcons within one game of the Hornets in the MCAL standings, setting up a potential playoff rematch in two weeks.

Why it matters

The close match between these two MCAL rivals highlights the competitive nature of the league and the importance of the upcoming playoffs, where the teams could meet again with a lot on the line.

The details

Archie Williams was led by a strong performance from Jernee Smith, who had 20 kills, 9 digs, and 4 blocks. Novato's Ryder Martinez added 15 kills and 6 digs, while Jacob Verdeflor dished out 39 assists. The Peregrine Falcons improved to 11-17 overall and 5-6 in league play, closing the gap on the Hornets who are 10-11 and 6-5 in the MCAL.

  • The match took place on Wednesday, April 16, 2026.
  • The MCAL playoffs are set to begin in two weeks.

The players

Archie Williams High School

A high school located in Marin County, California that competes in the Marin County Athletic League (MCAL) for boys volleyball.

Novato High School

A high school located in Novato, California that also competes in the MCAL for boys volleyball.

Jernee Smith

A player for Archie Williams High School who had a standout performance in the match with 20 kills, 9 digs, and 4 blocks.

Ryder Martinez

A player for Novato High School who contributed 15 kills and 6 digs in the loss.

Jacob Verdeflor

The setter for Novato High School who recorded 39 assists in the match.

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What’s next

The Peregrine Falcons and Hornets could meet again in the MCAL playoffs, which are set to begin in two weeks.

The takeaway

This thrilling five-set match between Archie Williams and Novato showcases the depth of talent and competitiveness in the MCAL boys volleyball league, setting the stage for an exciting postseason ahead.