Kalub Wilcox celebrated his 18th birthday on Monday.

Part of his gift was helping the East Union High boys’ volleyball squad to a non-league win over Chavez High of Stockton at the Dalben Center.

The Lancers (5-2) needed four games to win the best-of-five match, 25-17, 20-25, 25-9, 25-21.

“We loosened up in that second game,” said EU coach Chelsea Herrera, who saw her team make passing errors in allowing the Titans to even up the match at a game apiece.

This week is spring break for many schools including East Union and Chavez. Herrera scheduled an earlier practice on this day to help keep her team focused.

The Lancers took the early lead in the first game only to see the Titans even things up at 12-12.

But kills by both Flavio Mercado and Austin Scott followed by a serving ace delivered by Parmir Khattra and a block by Mercado put East Union ahead. Scott’s two aces helped nail down the game.

Chavez (5-7) took advantage of the Lancers’ miscues in the second game, with the Titans building up a 19-12 lead.

They made it 24-16 while fending off a late run by East Union.

The Lancers saw some of that momentum carry into the third game, jumping out to a 12-4 lead and taking the crucial third game.

“We played our best in the third and fourth games,” Herrera said.

East Union did trail early on in the fourth game, turning a 7-3 deficit into a 20-15 edge. Along the way, Jonathan Castaneda and Khattra scored off spikes. Alegre and Jake Lil chipped in with a kill and ace, respectively.

The Lancers, in addition, took advantage of the Chavez errors.

Khattra finished with 29 assists to go with his two and four blocks. Castaneda came through with eight kills, six digs and three aces while Mercado helped out with 12 kills and seven blocks.

East Union will take on Kimball in Monday’s Valley Oak League opener.

Sierra 3, Franklin 0

The Timberwolves swept past visiting Yellowjackets on Monday, 25-12, 25-22, 25-11.

“It was a great night,” said Sierra coach Jane Schneider. “Our starting lineup really stepped up and played their game.”

For the Timberwolves (7-5), Cyrus Hunter had six aces and six kills, Austin Cook delivered on three aces and six kills, and Sid Goswami served up five aces.

In addition, Chris Christian chipped in with three aces and two blocks, Carson Hibbs scored on six kills, and Brian Huyhn came through with 16 assists.

Franklin dropped to 1-7 in preseason play