In the pivotal fifth set Monday night, East Union tallied five of its first 10 points with blocks on the way to a thrilling 25-16, 23-25, 25-22, 19-25, 15-11 win over visiting Sierra in Valley Oak League boys volleyball action at Dalben Center.
“Our blocking has been phenomenal,” Lancers coach Sabrina Ballin said. “We know that when you get blocked over and over again, it’s really easy for teams and players to shut down, because they wonder how they are going to score points if they can’t be aggressive. We played Weston Ranch on Friday, and they had been the No. 1 team in the Sac-Joaquin Section, and we shut them down in the fifth set with blocks by Rudy (Rocha). (Gabriel) Torres has been a great blocker for us along with Jai (Aquino).
“It was a great game. Both teams worked extremely hard, and I am so proud of my guys. We have been absolutely working our tails off in practice, and I have been here now three years and this season has been unlike any of the others. Something just feels really good and right about this team.”
Xavier Gaspar played for the Timberwolves (4-2 VOL, 17-7 overall) last season but now plays for East Union (4-2, 10-12) and led the Lancers with 16 kills and two digs.
“This felt good against my former team,” Gaspar said. “I wasn’t getting as high up as I wanted to, but I really wanted and needed this match.”
Cash Galvez added six kills and two blocks for East Union.
“I am a defensive specialist and play back row normally, but coach put me in front row tonight and I just had to my job,” Galvez said. “I am so happy we came through with the win in five sets, and this team works so hard.”
Aquino dished out 20 assists for East Union with 14 kills and six digs. Rocha (three kills) and Noah Holdren added five blocks apiece.
Sierra coach Danielle Deerinck said her team did not have an answer to the Lancers defense.
“They definitely showed up ready to block today,” Deerinck said. “Our hitters were not making adjustments. They started off the first set strong blocking and carried on throughout the match.
“That’s something we have been working on but today we just didn’t adjust well.”
Owen Altadonna paced the Timberwolves with 10 kills and three blocks followed by Yatharth Katyal (seven kills, six digs), Bonpatrick Estrella (13 digs), Landon West (nine kills), Santino Flores (four digs) and Primo Estandarte (32 assists, 10 digs, eight kills).
Wednesday night at 6 the Lancers travel to Oakdale and the Timberwolves host Kimball.
Junior varsity
Sierra 2, East Union
Bayan Ballew tallied five kills and three aces to lead the Timberwolves to a 25-15, 25-19 sweep.
Sierra’s Kevin Gracia added six digs followed by Manola Asuncion with 13 assists and Seban Thomas with four kills and two aces.
Isaac Serrato (three kills) and Michael Kallandanthyil each had four assists for the Lancers. Jacob Padilla added 11 digs and two kills and Hezron Ochieng posted two kills.
