Shun Graves

Shun Graves served as editor-in-chief and first joined The Blazer in 2019. He covered Branson sports, local government and transportation. His work has won several awards and also appears in the Marin Independent Journal.

All content by Shun Graves

Bulls make mark on beach volleyball scene

By Shun Graves • May 6, 2023

Low-stakes and low-key, the NorCal beach volleyball scene has offered Branson’s girls volleyball team a chance to make a mark in the sand.

[Photo] Varied scoring key for boys lacrosse win vs. Urban

By Saylor Mullarkey • March 29, 2023

Branson attacker Jackson Hoeveler passes the ball during the game against Urban on March 29, 2023. Branson boys lacrosse defeated non-league Urban 12-5.

[Photo] Commons’ student lounge to return with gusto

By Cooper Tenney • March 15, 2023

The former student lounge area by the commons on March 15, 2023. The school intends to bring back the student lounge in spring 2023.

[Photo] Fellows use film to break down post-prison mission

By Alexa Warrin • March 4, 2023

Antwan Williams works with a camera near the gym complex on March 2, 2023. He’s one of the two E.E. Ford Fellows working on a documentary project.

Girls soccer blasts MA defense to claim NCS title

By Shun Graves • February 24, 2023

Branson notched another title after defeating Marin Academy 3-1 for the NCS final showdown.

[Photo] One man’s trash is everyone’s neglect

By Opinion Submissions • February 15, 2023

Students must clean up, Ben Boas writes. He found plenty of trash near the Snack Shack in late January.

Quick takes: End Meatless Mondays, freshmen should behave

By Shun Graves and Cameron Aryanpour • February 13, 2023

Blazer editors sound off on Meatless Mondays and bad behavior by students.

English, history to blend in new ‘cross-registered’ classes

By Shun Graves • February 13, 2023

Starting this fall, students can choose whether to credit such classes under English or history.

[Photo] January trial examines restoring complete senior privileges

By Adeline Newby • February 12, 2023

Cars sit in the parking lot in February 2023. Seniors could see expanded exit privileges after a pilot program over two weeks in January.

Girls soccer’s late push takes revenge on Redwood for MCAL title

By Shun Graves • February 11, 2023

Riley Pearson made the winning goal during extra time, securing the MCAL title for Branson.

[Photo] Branson seniors complete ballots during midterms

By Sadie Winter, Samara “Sam” Lehman, and Ashley Vela • February 7, 2023

Will Ashley, right, counts as one of the Branson seniors who filled out a ballot in November. Some seniors got their first chance to vote during the midterm election.

Slick defense aids girls soccer in sweep of San Marin

By Shun Graves • January 4, 2023

Girls varsity soccer outpaced San Marin 3-0, and the team showed why it leads the MCAL.

Champs! Division I state title caps off historic volleyball season

By Shun Graves • November 19, 2022

Girls varsity volleyball triumphed in a nail-biting, five-set Division I state title game to conclude a historic season.

[Photo] Live updates: Branson wins D-I state championship

By Shun Graves • November 18, 2022

Outside hitter Sadie Snipes makes a shot at the Division I state championships in Orange County, Nov. 18, 2022.

Time for state: Branson clinches Division I NorCal title

By Shun Graves • November 16, 2022

Girls varsity volleyball will head to the Division I state championship after clinching the NorCal title.

[Photo] Live updates: Branson wins Division I NorCal final

By Shun Graves • November 15, 2022

Girls varsity volleyball celebrates a point during the second set against St. Mary’s, Nov. 15, 2022.

Branson downs Marin Catholic, heads to NorCal finals

By Shun Graves • November 13, 2022

Girls varsity volleyball heads to the NorCal finals Tuesday for the first time since 2015 after defeating Marin Catholic.

[Photo] Live updates: Branson defeats Marin Catholic in NorCal showdown

By Shun Graves • November 12, 2022

Logan Tusher sets the ball as Branson faces Marin Catholic, Nov. 12, 2022.

Branson notches another win in home roller coaster

By Shun Graves • November 11, 2022

Girls varsity volleyball coasted to an early lead over Salinas, but the NorCal opponent pushed a tight third set.

Offense makes splash as Branson advances in NorCals

By Shun Graves • November 8, 2022

Branson defeated Pitman in three sets. A creative offensive effort circumvented the middle attack of girls varsity volleyball’s first opponent in the Division I regional playoffs.

[Photo] Branson claims another NCS title in three-set win

By Shun Graves • November 5, 2022

Outside hitter Sadie Snipes jumps for a hit against University, Nov. 5, 2022.

In NCS semifinal, Snipes sisters face each other for final time

By Shun Graves • November 2, 2022

Girls varsity volleyball’s NCS victory against Archie Williams marked the last time the Bulls’ Sadie Snipes faced Elsa Snipes on the other side of the court.

[Photo] Preview of ‘Legally Blonde’: A conversation with Maura Vaughn

By Josie Hohenrieder • November 1, 2022

Maura Vaughn, Branson’s theater director. The fall musical premieres Nov. 10.

Photos: Football defeats Calistoga at homecoming

By Shun Graves and Jeffrey Huang • October 31, 2022

Branson football soundly defeated Calistoga at home 42-12 as the calendar nears the playoffs.

[Photo] Director position marks return to a ‘first love’ for Dillon

By Saylor Mullarkey • October 29, 2022

Frances Dillon high-fives the brand-new bull mascot in October. She assumed the interim athletics director post this year.

Quick victory begins volleyball’s NCS run

By Shun Graves • October 29, 2022

Girls varsity volleyball quickly won its NCS quarterfinal in three sets after a first-round bye.

[Photo] Freshmen on first month at Branson: ‘Really good’

By Carly Lowe • October 24, 2022

Ninth-graders working in the Branson commons. The Branson workload is a significant but manageable step up from middle school.

‘So emotional’: Branson volleyball wins MCAL title

By Shun Graves • October 21, 2022

Girls varsity volleyball defeated Redwood in three sets, claiming the MCAL championship title.

Live updates: Branson defeats Redwood in MCAL final

By Shun Graves • October 21, 2022

Girls varsity volleyball defeated Redwood to win the MCAL championship.

Historic day as Branson defeats Marin Catholic

By Shun Graves • October 19, 2022

Girls varsity volleyball defeated Marin Catholic in four sets, marking a historic win as the team advances to the MCAL finals.

Redwood defeats Bulls in tough four-set game

By Shun Graves • October 14, 2022

Girls varsity volleyball faced a four-set defeat at Redwood, but highlights included Elena Fisher’s double-double.

[Photo] Live updates: Redwood defeats Branson in tight game

By Shun Graves • October 14, 2022

The Branson crowd cheers during the first set of the girls varsity volleyball game against Redwood, Oct. 14, 2022.

Nail-biting second set concludes JV season

By Shun Graves • October 14, 2022

Girls junior varsity volleyball nearly forced a third set but ultimately faced defeat at Redwood.

Big day for seniors ends with big win

By Shun Graves • October 12, 2022

San Rafael faced a three-set defeat at the hands of Branson girls varsity volleyball, which marked senior night.

Win streak extended as JV defeats San Rafael

By Shun Graves • October 12, 2022

Girls junior varsity volleyball soundly defeated San Rafael at home in two sets.

Bulls face foes old and new at Stockton tourney

By Shun Graves • October 8, 2022

Girls varsity volleyball faced some familiar foes, as well as new ones, at the Varsity Stockton Classic.

JV pulls ahead in another three-set game

By Shun Graves • October 7, 2022

Girls junior varsity volleyball ultimately defeated Tamalpais after a roller-coaster, three-set home game.

Branson pulls another win despite third-set scare

By Shun Graves • October 7, 2022

Though Tamalpais attempted to push the girls varsity volleyball game to four sets, Branson finally pulled ahead.

Varsity routs San Marin in swiftest victory yet

By Shun Graves • September 30, 2022

A 20-point lead in the second set underscored how quickly girls varsity volleyball defeated San Marin.

JV defeats San Marin in first three-set game

By Shun Graves • September 30, 2022

On the road, girls junior varsity volleyball defeated San Marin in three sets.

Snipes sisters on rivalry: Support, not beef

By Shun Graves • September 23, 2022

A home victory by girls varsity volleyball pitted Branson’s Sadie Snipes against Archie Williams’ Elsa Snipes.

Another win for JV in home game against Archie Williams

By Shun Graves • September 23, 2022

A two-set game at home against Archie Williams marked another victory for girls junior varsity volleyball.

Novato takes shellacking at hands of Bulls

By Shun Graves • September 21, 2022

Girls varsity volleyball won every set by double digits against Novato at home.

JV defeats Novato in thriller at Branson

By Shun Graves • September 21, 2022

A two-set spectacle at home overwhelmed Novato’s faltering defense.

Five-set nail-biter ends in Branson defeat

By Shun Graves • September 20, 2022

In the first five-set game of this season, Branson and Marin Catholic battled until the last two points.

Live updates: Branson falls to Marin Catholic in five sets

By Shun Graves • September 20, 2022

Girls varsity volleyball faced league foe Marin Catholic in Kentfield.

JV falls to Marin Catholic in two-set away game

By Shun Graves • September 20, 2022

Girls junior varsity volleyball faced a defeat at Marin Catholic Sept. 20.

Blowout win marks varsity’s first league game

By Shun Graves • September 14, 2022

Girls varsity volleyball swiftly defeated Terra Linda, its first MCAL foe this season.

[Photo] Live updates: Varsity defeats Terra Linda in first league game

By Shun Graves • September 14, 2022

Libero Dylan Whisenant serves the ball in her court debut for Branson at Terra Linda, Sept. 14, 2022.

Late rebound not enough for JV at Terra Linda

By Shun Graves • September 14, 2022

A string of points late during the game at Terra Linda failed to avert a defeat.

Varsity falls to Saint Francis in final non-league game

By Shun Graves • September 10, 2022

The team begins league play next week after the defeat Saturday.

Mitty defeats Bulls varsity volleyball in tight 4-set rematch

By Shun Graves • September 10, 2022

A strong first set gave way to a close play-by-play defeat against Archbishop Mitty.

Branson falls short in road loss to Monte Vista

By Shun Graves • September 2, 2022

A tough attack by Monte Vista tested Branson’s girls varsity volleyball team.

[Photo] Live updates: Bulls face road loss to Monte Vista

By Shun Graves • September 2, 2022

A kill by Eva Lacy against Monte Vista in Danville, Sept. 2. An energized offense pulled ahead of Monte Vista during the second set.