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Manteca gets long-awaited win
VB--Manteca-Oakdale pic 1
Manteca outside hitter Payton Reis gets her spike through the block of Oakdales Ashley Moreno, left, and Caroline Hamilton. - photo by Photo By Sean Kahler

OAKDALE — Manteca has walked the walk so far, but head coach Kevin Bolding knows the marathon is far from over in the Valley Oak League.

His Buffaloes took a big step forward Wednesday, when they knocked off reigning champion Oakdale 20-25, 25-16, 25-21, 25-16. It is believed to be their first win over the Mustangs since 1999, during Bolding’s first stint as Manteca’s coach.

According to MaxPreps, Manteca has dropped all 27 of its previous meetings with Oakdale going back to 2004. Two years ago, Manteca — with three freshman starters — dropped a five-set heartbreaker to these Mustangs, who swept the Buffs in the 20 consecutive matches prior.

With experience and depth to go with talent, Manteca (2-0, 11-3) now has the target on its back for the rest of the regular season.

“They’re one of those programs you kind of want to model your team after,” Bolding said. “If you want to get to that level you have to work to be able to compete with them. We’ve done a good job the last few years of competing with them, we just haven’t gotten over that hump. Tonight was huge in a sense that we now know without a doubt we can play with them.”

Manteca struggled out of the gate but eventually got its balanced attack rolling. Payton Reis led the way with 14 kills, 14 service points, three aces and 13 digs. Rhiannon Genilla added 12 kills and nine digs. Kacy Bolding posted 20 assists, 10 kills, nine digs and two blocks. Kaitlyn Morenzone set 19 assists while contributing 19 digs and eight kills. Emma Kadillak anchored the back row with 18 digs, while Sarah Inderbitzin served 14 points and an ace.

“After that first game, I think we were a little more relaxed,” coach Bolding said. “Not taking anything away from them, but we kind of helped them by hitting the balls out and not keeping it in play. We came through in clutch times and made plays.”

Kimball 3, East Union 0

TRACY — First-year East Union coach Chelsea Herrera said the Lancers “were a whole different team” than the one that was swept in its league opener on Monday.

They were swept again Wednesday but did not go down quietly against Kimball (2-0, 7-4) in a 16-25, 23-25, 22-25 loss.

“The girls fought,” Herrera said. “They were really into it tonight and got into a rhythm.”

Alexus Surnip tallied 10 kills and 13 to lead the Lancers (0-2, 1-5). Kiana Day chipped in with eight kills and 14 digs, while Ragan Fowzer came up with six solo blocks. Setter Angelica Mercardo dished out 23 assists.

 

Central Catholic 3,

Weston Ranch 2

STOCKTON — The Cougars (0-2, 6-3) fell short in a five-game thriller —15-25, 23-25, 25-20, 25-20, 9-15 — but had a strong showing two nights after getting swept at Manteca.

Amaya Finley swatted a team-high 20 kills, Nayeli Moreno accumulated 32 assists and Diana Medina led the back row.

 

Sophomore

Oakdale 2, Manteca 0

OAKDALE — The Buffaloes (1-1, 5-2) were defeated 20-25, 17-25

Olga Perez (six points, four digs), Abby Arias (three points, six digs) and Kerren Zou (five points, four kills) were Manteca’s standouts.