Branson Girls Volleyball Advances to Final After Semifinal Victory

The Branson School girls volleyball team secured a spot in the North Coast Section Open Division final after a decisive victory over Redwood High School on November 5, 2025. The match, held at Redwood High, ended with Branson triumphing in straight sets, 25-12, 25-17, 25-21, positioning them to defend their title against Marin Catholic on November 7, 2025.

Branson, the fourth seed with a record of 19-7, exhibited a strong performance, reflecting their determination to retain their championship. Outside hitter Ella Tsai emphasized the team’s motivation, stating, “We really want to defend it. It’s something that we feel like belongs to us, and we don’t want to see another team take it.” The Bulls previously lost to the top-seeded Redwood team earlier in the season, adding to their drive for redemption.

With a strong start in the first set, Branson quickly established control of the game, leading 8-3 and later extending the advantage to 17-5, fueled by substantial service runs from players Abby King and Blake Cussen. Redwood, the number one seed with a record of 19-9, struggled to find their rhythm after a lengthy break following a first-round bye.

Branson libero Lucy Tusher noted the impact of this layoff, saying, “Not being on the court is a big thing.” The Bulls, having experienced a similar situation last year, managed to shake off any rust and executed their game plan effectively.

The match showcased Branson’s diverse attacking strategy, with four players recording at least nine kills. Tsai led the charge with 14 kills, while middle blocker Ellie Corsello contributed 11, and both Cussen and King added nine each. Tusher remarked on the team’s balanced offensive approach, stating, “We want to be able to mix up the offense and not have the blockers just stay on Blake or Ella.”

Head coach Michelle Brazil praised her team’s overall performance, highlighting the contributions from setters Kate Bianchi and Lily Gross, as well as the back-row defenders. “The fact that Ellie got so many sets is indicative of us passing and playing defense so well,” she said.

In the second set, Redwood initially took a 4-1 lead, but Branson quickly regained control, taking the lead at 7-6. Although Redwood managed to close the gap to 17-14, late kills from Tsai, Corsello, and Cussen secured Branson’s two-set lead.

The third set proved more competitive, with Redwood showing resilience. Key serves from Maddy Wagner helped Redwood tie the set at 14-14. However, Branson rallied back, winning four consecutive points to clinch their place in the finals.

The upcoming final against Marin Catholic marks the third meeting between the two teams this season. Branson previously won their regular-season matchup in straight sets on October 17, while Marin Catholic emerged victorious in their MCAL semifinal encounter on October 22.

As both teams prepare for the rematch, Branson’s commitment to defending their title is evident, making the upcoming match on November 7 a highly anticipated clash in the North Coast Section volleyball scene.