Sports Briefs: Redwood alum Giang earns college volleyball honors

Redwood High grad Kate Giang capped her freshman volleyball season at Wellesley College as she was named the 2023 NEWMAC Women’s Volleyball Rookie of the Year this week.

Giang is the ninth student-athlete in program history to receive the honor, and the first since Yasmine Reece won the award in 2015.

Giang, from Corte Madera, recorded 366 kills (163 in NEWMAC games) this season and her 3.77 kills per set was the most of anyone in the NEWMAC. Giang also boosted the Blue’s defense with 236 digs, 31 aces and 24 blocks. Giang’s explosive brand of offense helped the Blue win 13 matches this season, including a trio of NEWMAC wins.

Girls basketball

Nika Arye scored a team-high 11 points in her varsity debut as Archie Williams High held off the visitors from Santa Rosa, 36-35, in Wednesday’s girls basketball season opener. Lila Peterson and Annabelle Freed added eight points each, with support from guard Allegra diCarpegna. The Peregrine Falcons are scheduled to play Tam in Mill Valley on Saturday.

Men’s basketball

College of Marin fell to host Folsom Lake, 82-70, on Wednesday as the Mariners kicked off a three-game road trip. The Mariners (2-4) are scheduled to play at Skyline on Friday.

Women’s soccer

Dominican University senior Alejandra Melendez was named to the All-PacWest third team this week. Melendez finished the year with four goals and eight points for the Penguins. She tallied a career high in minutes played with 1,197.