Manteca found itself in rare territory Thursday, defeating visiting Ripon Christian with a 25-22, 30-28, 25-20 sweep.

It’s the first time in 10 years that the Buffaloes (7-3) defeated the Knights (6-4).

There were 14 ties and six lead changes on the night. Ripon Christian led late in all three sets – serving at match point in the marathon second set – but Manteca found a way to come back and win those sets.

“It’s been a while since we have beaten RC,” Buffaloes coach Robin Chandler said. “I’m really impressed with the girls, because even when we get down, they are starting to believe in themselves and that they can come back.

“That’s been really nice. No matter what the score is they just keep pushing through and we get the ‘W.’”

Taimane Tu’uga led the Manteca attack with 14 kills, 10 digs and an ace.

“The match was pretty good,” Tu’uga said. “It was very stressful for me but I pushed through it and I am very happy we got the win today.”

Ariceli McBroom added 13 digs, 12 kills and two aces for the Buffaloes.

“I think we played well as a team,” McBroom said. “At first it was a little rough for us to get our serve-receive going, but after we started communicating it got better and we only went up from there.”

Manteca’s Katie Anderson dished out 20 assists along with six digs.

“I think it was really good that we worked together as a team,” Anderson said. “We came from behind at times and I am really proud of how hard the team worked.”

Cali Vanni (12 kills, two aces) and Madeline Nunes (four assists) each added 14 digs for the Buffaloes.

Lauren Mouw racked up 19 digs and an ace for Ripon Christian. Bailey Brayton added 10 kills, Maddie Sabala eight kills and two blocks, Alyssa Hofman nine kills, Rhian Heuvel 15 assists and three aces and Brooklyn Postma 13 assists.

“I think we are still working on consistency,” Knights coach Kayla Kootstra said. “We have moments when we are flowing and in system and everything looks good and we have to work to stay in that for an entire set and then an entire match.

“Unfortunately, we let them make a run at the ends, and that was unfortunate. So, that is where we keep growing and that is why you play these tough non-league matches and we just have to continue to get better.”

Manteca travels to Mountain House on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. and Ripon Christian hosts Escalon on Tuesday night at 6.

Junior Varsity

Ripon Christian 2, Manteca 1

Audrey Jung hammered five kills for the Knights who bounced back from a 9-24 opening set loss to win the next two 25-13, 15-8.

Ripon Christian scrambled for 10 digs, Audrey Jung posted five kills and Gabbi McCormick 10 assists.

Natalie Ramirez tallied six digs, seven assists and a kill for the Buffaloes. Ava Diedrick added eight digs and four kills, La’Vee Clark eight assists and two digs, Bianca Esparza seven digs and Melanie Lechuga five kills.

Freshman

Manteca 2, Ripon Christian 1

Samantha Wiggins powered six kills and three digs to lead the Buffaloes to a 20-25, 25-21 15-13 come-from-behind win.

Manteca’s Jayleen Zambrano-Guzman added seven kills and three digs followed by Amiliana Vanni (five digs), Chloe Baclig (three kills, three digs, ace) and Madison Venancio (11 assists, kills).

Amy De Jong hammered 10 kills for the Knights. Emily Segaar added eight assists and five aces and Macey Kootstra four kills.