Sierra officially introduced itself as a contender in what is expected to be a wide-open race for the Valley Oak League title.
Anchored by a sweep at singles, the Timberwolves rolled past host East Union 8-1 on Tuesday. It’s a far different result from the 2015 league opener won by East Union, 5-4. It was Ed Melfort’s first match as Sierra’s head coach. One year later, he’s excited about the possibilities for a  revamped lineup that mixes freshman talent and senior experience.
“We have a changing of the guard,” Melfort said.
New No. 1 singles player Kaitlyn Rausa, a freshman, was tested out the gate by foreign-exchange student Fuko Inove. Rausa recovered from her opening-set loss to prevail, 4-6, 6-1, 6-3.
“She was definitely in a battle and we were not expecting that,” Melfort said. “I’m proud of all my singles players. Last year that’s where we were weak at other than Claire (Banks), so for us to have it already wrapped up early (following the six singles matches) was a big boost for us.”
Banks blanked Natalie Kanaim 6-0, 6-0 at No. 2 singles, where she could dominate in dual matches after reaching the VOL Singles Tournament finals last year. Nadia Petrovic, another freshman, defeated Isabel Moreno, 6-2, 6-0. Katarina Malabanan (6-1, 6-2), Carly Cunial (6-2, 6-0) and Sydney Huynh (6-0, 6-4) completed the singles sweep.
Hailey Gosney and Nicole Meza earned East Union’s lone point, winning the competitive No. 1 doubles contest, 7-5, 3-6, 10-7. Krista Harris and Alejandra Pacheco dominated in a 6-0, 6-0 win at No. 2 doubles. Diana Duenas and Natalie Rootsaert won the third doubles match, 6-3, 2-6, 10-1.
It doesn’t get any easier for Sierra, which hosts its other in-town rival Manteca next Thursday at the Manteca Regional Tennis Center. Manteca was the runner-up to Central Catholic the past two seasons.
“Manteca is sneaky,” Melfort said. “It’s going to be a tough one for us because they are a very deep team.”
Manteca 8,
Central Catholic 1
While two-time defending VOL and Sac-Joaquin Section Division III champion Central Catholic rebuilds, the Buffaloes proved they’re still a team to be reckoned with in their resounding victory.
Taylor Corona (6-4, 6-1), Koryn Menasco (6-2, 6-0), Julia Tang (5-1, opponent retired), Gladis Sandoval (6-2, 6-0) and Makenna Condit (6-3, 7-5) pulled out straight-set wins in singles play. Condit was down 1-4 in the second set before rallying to complete the sweep.
Rav Dhillon/Navina Mann (6-1, 6-0), Julianne Eavenson/Noeli Mercado (6-1, 6-0) and Monica Lozano/Prerna Singh (7-6 [0], 6-1) padded the Manteca win. Central Catholic won its only match at No. 4 singles.
Kimball 7, Lathrop 2
Lathrop No. 4 Eden Baca outlasted Tiffany Dequit 5-7, 6-3, 6-1 in one of three three-set matches at Manteca Regional Tennis Center.
The Spartans’ other point was provided by the No. 1 doubles team of Marisa Briseno and Erica Garlit (6-2, 6-3).