MODESTO — Manteca saved its best for last Wednesday at Central Catholic.
After three competitive sets, the Buffaloes connected with the finishing blow for a 25-17, 22-25, 25-20, 25-11 win that keeps it one match back of Valley Oak League-leading Kimball.
“We started out really well,” Manteca coach Kevin Bolding said of the one-sided fourth game. “We came out pretty focused, got out to a lead and didn’t let up. It was nice to be able to finish out strong.”
Destanie Elliot spearheaded the attack with 11 kills, and Payton Reis contributed 10. Rhiannon Genilla pounded eight kills to with 10 digs and three aces. Kacy Bolding amassed 16 service points, two aces, 16 assists and three blocks. Kaitlyn Morenzone added 19 assists, 15 service points and nine digs. Libero Tawny Deerinck finished with eight digs.
Manteca next hosts Lathrop next Monday.
Kimball 3, Lathrop 0
LATHROP — The Spartans (1-3, 1-9) showed well against the VOL’s remaining unbeaten club.
Kimball (4-0, 8-7) swept 25-22, 25-6, 26-24, but Lathrop threatened to force a fourth game before its last-ditch comeback fell short. Lathrop trailed 18-23 before Brittany Johnson served five straight points to tie it.
“I told the girls that we had to leave that second set behind us and clearly they did that,” Lathrop coach Heather Anderson said. “They responded really well in the third set. We knew coming in that they were 3-0 and we had to play up, and I thought we competed with them tonight. That’s a solid team with some big wins and we were able to hang with them. The second set was ugly, but I was most proud of our ability to recover and put a lot of pressure on Kimball.”
Malia Akers (three kills), Harjass Kaur (two kills), Mary Cotton (two kills), Ayzher Ocsona (12 digs), Fasha Hayes (nine digs) and Karina Chavez (six assists) were Lathrop’s top players.
Oakdale 3, East Union 1
The Lancers (2-2, 2-4) competed well but could not keep up with the defending VOL champions Wednesday at Dalben Center. Game scores were 17-25, 20-25, 25-20, 17-25.
Sophie Williams accumulated seven kills and six blocks for East Union. Vanessa Cuellar turned in 11 assists and five aces. LaEssa Pierce led the back row with 14 digs.
