The Lathrop High girls tennis team is showing improvement.

But that wasn’t enough for the Spartans to get past visiting Oakdale in Valley Oak League play on Thursday.

The Mustangs won handily, 8-1.

Deja Andrades, Lathrop’s No.1 singles player, lost to Danika Brown in a three-set tiebreaker, 6-2, 4-6, 5-10.

“Deja was hitting the ball so well in that first set,” Spartans coach Arabella Whitlock said. “Her serves are becoming stronger with more consistent accuracy.

“She has all the skills – she just has to figure out how to close (out) a match.”

Lathrop’s only win was registered by No. 6 singles Eden Baca, who is 3-0 in match play this season.

After losing the first set, she battled back to defeat Maddie Brewer, 3-6, 7-6 (7-5), 10-8 tiebreaker.

“Eden did a great job. She played consistent throughout the match. She’s becoming better each time she steps on the court,” Whitlock said.

The other four Spartan singles players lost in straight sets.

No. 2 Danielle Osoteo fell to Cori Barney (3-6, 0-6), Ann Maree Barber was beaten by Oakdale No. 3 Carley Newbill (1-6, 0-6), No. 4 Kim Victoria was dropped by Courtney Rodgers (2-6, 2-6), and Beatrice Vilches was defeated No. 5 Alyssa Gouveia (1-6, 3-6).

In doubles play, Angela Alegado and Tala Alkhatib, the Spartans’ No. 1 team, was on the losing side of an 8-3 proset tally to Haley Takaki and Amy Schneck.

No. 2 paring of Maiya Ortiz and Nolle Rollins along with Lathrop’s No. 3 duo of Marissa Briseno and Anondeep Dhaliwahl were both swept by Jessica Gorman / McKayla Johnson and Brianna Morgan / Jillian Mello, respectively.

Sierra 5, Weston Ranch 4

The Timberwolves squeaked past the visiting Cougars in VOL play on Thursday.

Leading the way was Sierra’s top singles player Claire Banks, who rolled past Jaskirat Kaur in straight sets 6-0, 6-0.

No. 2 Simran Thind also won in two sets, beating April Vang, 6-2, 6-2.

Kelly Bacon, the Timberwolves’ No. 3 player, handled the Cougars’ Cheyanne Sysouphanh, 6-1, 6-0.

Weston Ranch’s victories included No. 5 singles player Rubi Sanchez stopping Carly Cunial, 6-1, 6-1, and the No. 1 doubles team of Vi Tran and Jasdeep Hothi defeating  Veronica Pranada and Sophia Gunzon, 6-3, 6-0.

In addition, Viviana Castro and Alejandra Pacheco, Sierra’s No. 2 pairing, toppled Rashmeet Toger and Sam Danfa, 7-6 (8-6), 6-0.

The Cougars’ No. 3 duo of Deepa Singh and Malet Belay rolled past the Timberwolves’ Belen Ramos and Xochitl Torres, 6-1, 6-0.

To contact reporter Vince Rembulat, email vrembulat@mantecabulletin.com.