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BUFFS TAME TWOLVES
Sierras Cardenas avenges loss to Diaz in No. 1 match
TEN--Manteca-Sierra pic 5 copy
Sierra No. 3 singles player Simran Thind returns it back to Mantecas Elizabeth Tolbert. - photo by JONAMAR JACINTO/The Bulletin

Sierra was far more competitive in its rematch with crosstown rival Manteca on Thursday, but the visiting Buffaloes proved once again why they are still the team to beat in the Valley Oak League.

Manteca did enough to claim a 7-2 victory and earn a season sweep of the Timberwolves, who fell to 4-7. Defending champion Manteca improved to 10-0.

In their previous meeting on Sept. 10, Manteca rolled 8-1 as Liz Diaz handed Sierra’s Anna Cardenas a 6-3, 6-2 defeat in a battle between two of the VOL’s top players. Cardenas got even Thursday in a marathon match that was decided by a 10-point super tiebreaker. She came from behind to win, 0-6, 6-3, 10-7.

Sierra notched its other point at No. 3 doubles, as Nour Hamza and Kelly Bacon squeaked it out against Haylee Both and Megan Gonzales, 5-7, 6-4, 10-8.

Manteca’s Kaitlyn Hoyer and Ashlee Miller clawed their way back to dispatch Crystal Hernandez and Maria Vazquez in the No. 1 showdown, 3-6, 6-2, 10-7. Jasmine Ellington and Katie Inderbitzin won the other doubles contest for Manteca, 6-3, 6-3.

Two other singles matches were competitive enough to make things interesting. In the No. 2 match, Sealy McAdams held off Sierra’s Annie Banks, 7-6 (7-2), 6-3. At No. 4, Julia Saling defeated Claire Banks, 7-5, 6-3.

Allison Rachels claimed the most decisive win, 6-1, 6-0. Elizabeth Tolbert triumphed over Simran Thind, 6-0, 6-3. Fechi Nkwocha cruised, 6-0, 6-2.

It was a busy week for Sierra, which completed its third match in as many days.

The Timberwolves picked up a pair of 8-1 victories earlier in the week, first defeating Sonora on the road Tuesday. Annie Banks (3-6, 6-4, 7-5) gutted out a come-from-behind win, while Megan Carbiener dropped a heartbreaker to Marcia Hansen, 7-5, 4-6, 8-10.

Sierra dominated at Lathrop on Wednesday. Lathrop’s lone point came with the final match of the day, as Jewalyn Tabra and Yvette Oaticerio prevailed 6-2 in a match shortened because of darkness.