Lathrop’s Gabriel Fa’ali’i hammered four of his 13 kills in a 6-0 run to start the match with visiting Central Valley on Friday night and the Spartans never looked back in a 25-9, 25-17, 25-4 sweep of the Hawks in Western Athletic Conference boys volleyball action.

“I think I could have done a lot better at the net,” Fa’ali’i said. “But my setter (Cameron Loyola) was able to put the ball in the right places and I was able to capitalize on the good sets.”

In the 25-4 third-set thumping, Fa’ali’i, who finished with 13 kills and two blocks, tallied all four of his aces during a 13-point run that put Lathrop (1-1 WAC, 8-4 overall) ahead 16-1.

“With the aces I was able to take my time on the service line,” Fa’ali’i said. “And make sure to tune out all the noise that was happening.

“I just wanted to make sure to get the serves in and make it hard for Central Valley to get in system.”

Cameron Loyola (two kills, block) dished out 20 assists for the Spartans.

“If feels great to set for Gabe (Fa’ali’i),” Loyola said. “He is a great offensive player, and being a new setter for Lathrop it’s nice.

“I feel like I can step up and be a leader and help get this team get going.”

Mark Llorin added four kills for Lathrop. Elias Medel chipped in three aces and three digs and Persius Fa’ali’i tallied four digs and an ace.

“I’m glad the boys came out strong tonight,” Spartans coach Toa Fa’ali’i said. “Especially my setter (Loyola) running the offense and my two captains Cameron (Loyola) and Gabriel (Fa’ali’i). I am glad I was able to use everybody tonight.”

“I would like thank Central Valley for coming in here and competing.”

Jhaydin Polentenos came off the bench for Lathrop in the third set and promptly got the match-ending point on a kill.

“It was totally different from practice,” Polentenos said. “It is a totally different environment, especially when we are at home with a lot of fans.

“It is very fun compared to practice, but also very big. When you are out there, it is like the big screen. Hopefully, I will get in there more later on and work on my craft.”

Central Valley (0-1, 0-7) led just once all night at 1-0 to start the second set. 

The Spartans travel to Modesto to face Beyer on Monday night at 6:30.

Junior varsity 

Lathrop 2, Central Valley 0

Mario Luna dished out 13 assists and blasted two aces for the Spartans in a 25-17, 25-20 sweep.

Lathrop’s Bryan Gamboa (three aces), Elijah Munoz (two aces) and Cayden Phaing (ace) notched four kills apiece with Christopher Ygay posting seven digs.