CERES – The Manteca High sophomore volleyball team dropped the opening game and roared back for a 23-25, 26-24, 15-7 win over the Central Valley Hawks in Valley Oak league play.

Jesscia Reeder handed out 25 assists to pace the Buffaloes, while teammates Jimi Guibor and Erin Kennedy combined for 13 kills. Kennedy also chipped in seven service points, including three aces. Mian Ramirez added seven service points with four aces, while Reeder also added a pair of aces.

Manteca improved to 9-5 on the VOL season and will look to finish strong as they play host to the Lathrop Spartans Monday at Winter Gym.

The Lancers shook off a lackluster effort in the match’s second game to earn their fourth league win in a 25-19, 18-25, 15-5 win over the Ceres Bulldogs Wednesday at Dalben Center. Kristen Piasecki paced the team with four aces, while Samantha Mendoza led the lancers with 14 digs. Alex Scopas chipped in a pair of kills, Meagan Bautista added two blocks and Piasecki also contributed 10 assists in the win.

The Spartans gave the home crowd something to cheer about in a convincing 25-7, 25-22 win over Sierra High. The Timberwolves were led by Jessica Lopez’ five service points and two aces, while teammate Kelley Paredes also chipped in five service points, including an ace.

Sierra (5-9) will try and close out the season on a high note when they host the Manteca Buffaloes and East Union Lancers to close out the VOL regular season.

The Timberwolves dropped the second game, but focused up and pulled out a 25-20, 20-25, 15-8 win over the host Lathrop Spartans.

Monica Brambia led the Spartans with six aces, while teammate Ashley Chu added a pair.

At Dalben Center, East Union cruised to an easy VOL win in a 25-17, 25-22 win over the Ceres Bulldogs. Jillian Costa led the Lancers with six kills and three aces, while Kianna Lamont chipped in seven aces. Mariah Burrola turned in a game high nine assists.

“We had a hard time adjusting to new positions,” head coach Sarah Hedin said. “But we were able to get it together in the end.

The Sierra High boys frosh-soph cross country team closed out an impressive Valley Oak League campaign with a league title Wednesday at Legion Park in Modesto.

Sierra raced to the championship with a league low 23 points, while rival Manteca High finished with 51 points. Johnny Payan finished second overall with a time of 11:38 and teammates Mike Leland (11:53), James Greer (11:53), Thomas Trzcinski (12:03) and Mike Merriles (12:47) all finished in the top-10 overall.

Manteca High’s Tim Baker closed out as the individual champion, finishing the course first overall with a time of 11:24. Lathrop High’s Shamit Kishore (12:03) and Berry Bautista (12:50) finished fifth and ninth, respectively.

The Buffaloes also got a top-10 finish from Martin Ponce whose time of 12:23 was good for seventh place overall.

Ceres High won the girls frosh-soph title led by Bryce Ford’s first overall finish in 13:45, followed closely by Weston Ranch Cougar Natalie Torres who closed out the course in 14:05. The Buffaloes got strong efforts from Gabriella Vazquez (15:09) and Breanna Rodriguez (15:17)  who finished fourth and fifth overall, respectively.

Sierra High’s Jasmine Vargas (15:45) was sixth, while Kim Raines finished seventh with a time of 16:02.