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Manteca tames Wildcats for perfect finish in league
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There was little drama in Manteca High’s run to the Valley Oak League boys tennis championship this week.

After dispatching Weston Ranch 7-2 to clinch sole possession of the title Tuesday, the Buffaloes beat visiting Sonora by the same score Thursday to finish 14-0 in league. They are also 17-4 overall.

“It was a pretty routine day unlike past encounters we’ve had with Sonora,” Manteca coach Frank Fontana said. “The guys really took care of business, just got on and got off (the court). It was a nice, solid way to wrap up the season undefeated.”

The marquee matchup of the day involved Oral Nunis and Sonora’s undefeated Josh Smith, the No. 1-seeded player for next week’s VOL singles tournament. Smith defeated Nunis for a second time but was tested, 6-4, 7-6 (7-4). Nunis will likely be seeded third behind Sierra’s Forrest Tolman.

“It was another close one,” Fontana said. “Oral had his chances to win either set but didn’t capitalize in key moments.”

Michael Lopez (6-2, 6-2), Jacob Webb (6-0, 6-3), Yok-Jing Ma (6-3, 6-2) and Chris Kloska (6-3, 6-2) won their singles matches. In the No. 6 contest, Manteca’s Jorge Sierra fell to Hunter Vroman, 3-6, 2-6.

Manteca’s top doubles team of Alex Vazquez and Sam Dhaliwal produced a 6-0, 6-4 victory. Puneet Sandhu and Izham Reger grinded out a 3-6, 6-3, 12-10 win. Sonora defaulted the third doubles match.

The VOL singles and doubles tournaments take place next Tuesday and Thursday at Kimball High of Tracy.