Sierra carried some momentum from Game 1 to Game 2 on Wednesday against host East Union, but unfortunately for the Timberwolves the results were the same in all three matches as the Lancers won the Valley Oak League volleyball contest 25-19, 25-19, 25-16 at Dalben Center.

Partially due to the hot hand of Courtney Posz who had five aces in the first game, East Union (4-3 VOL, 16-5-2 overall) jumped out to a 21-10 lead to start the night. But five unforced errors helped Sierra (1-7, 3-10)  come back to within 22-19. Then the error bug bit the Timberwolves who had three consecutive unforced errors to close out the match.

“We have been talking about how we have to dig in and have the intensity to get the next point,” Lancers coach Rich Posz said. “We have to limit the service runs and that didn’t happen in the first game. The unforced errors kind of hurt us.

“We have enough confidence to think that we were going to pull it out, but against the elite teams we can’t let down like that.”

Sierra came out strong in the second game, going ahead 5-0. The two teams battled through seven ties and three lead changes until the game was tied at 16-16 when East Union went on a 9-3 run to close out the set. The Timberwolves did not lead in the third set.

“The little things just eat us alive,” Sierra coach Trinity Johnson said. “We have been keeping up all season with everyone but we just have not been finishing.”

In addition to nine aces, Courtney Posz had 17 assists.

“I was trying to keep it away from their strong passers,” Courtney Posz said. “That way they would free-ball it over to us and we could set it up and get the kill.”

Regina Dias and Madison Hoffman added six kills each for the Lancers.

Taylor Webber had three kills and six digs for the Timberwolves. Claudia Hunter added three kills and Fabiola Lopez six assists.



Weston Ranch 3,

 Lathrop 0

The Cougars (2-5, 6-6) capped the first half of VOL play with a second straight win — 25-16, 25-20, 25-22 — Wednesday in Stockton.

Victoria Gulley (9 kills), Elisabeth Alexander (6 kills, 4 aces), Alex Marapao (12 assists) and Melanie Amen (5 aces) powered the attack for Weston Ranch.

Jamie Ready had two kills, 13 assists and three aces to pace Lathrop. Loreal Taylor (2 kills, 5 digs) and Desiree Mondola (3 kills, 3 aces) were other top contributors.



Kimball 3,

Manteca 0

It was a rough night for the host Buffaloes (3-4, 5-6), who were unable to mount much of a challenge for Kimball in an 11-25, 13-25, 18-25 defeat.

Beth Aschenbrenner turned in 11 digs for Manteca, and Jasmine Basuil added six to go with two aces.



Sophomore

East Union 2,

 Sierra 0

Melissa King served up 12 points and two aces while dishing out six assists in the two-set win (25-18, 25-17) for East Union.

The Squires (6-1, 17-1) had seven different players contribute at least two kills apiece. Alissa Burrola and Taylor Ward recorded 19 and 11 digs, respectively, to anchor the defense.



Weston Ranch 2,

Lathrop 0

Tralynn Simerly hammered five kills, while Sabrina Rangel added 10 assists and nine aces for Weston Ranch (4-3, 9-3). Iris Murphy led the back row with 10 digs.

The Cougars coasted, 25-10, 25-12.



Freshman

Weston Ranch 2,

Lathrop 0

Marylley Lomboy scored aces for the final two points of Weston Ranch’s first league win of the season. The Cougars (1-6, 4-7) finished off Lathrop, 25-7, 25-22.

Aaliyah Peavey also served a pair of aces, while Kiran Kaur led the way with six. Nichole Bigornia provided eight assists. Briana Yates thumped three kills, and Asia Stamps chipped in two.



East Union 2,

 Sierra 0

The Pages began the program-wide sweep with a 25-17, 25-19 victory.

Leading Sierra were Kayla Bolton (4 aces), Vanessa Benham (3 kills) and Jaleyna Tremor (3 digs).



— Jonamar Jacinto contributed to this report