Manteca continued its strong start to the season Tuesday, knocking off reigning Western Athletic Conference champion Los Banos 25-11, 25-19, 25-12 at Winter Gymnasium.
It’s the Buffaloes’ third straight win over a league champ, as they improved to 8-2. They swept Ripon (Trans-Valley League) and Chavez (San Joaquin Athletic Association) last week, but it doesn’t get any easier as the pre-league schedule ends with road matches against Tokay and Bear Creek tonight and Thursday.
Manteca can use the tune-ups with the Valley Oak League campaign beginning with stiff tests against Weston Ranch and defending champion Oakdale next week.
“We’re playing pretty good for this early in the season” Manteca coach Kevin Bolding said. “It has helped that they’ve played together for a while, but we have some new people who have fit it really well.
“Tonight, everybody got time in there and we have good mix. We still have a long way to go and have a couple more tough ones this week. We just have to get ready for league, because league should be pretty good this year.”
Manteca setters Kacy Bolding (10 assists, eight kills) and Kaitlyn Morenzone (16 assists, 14 service points, four aces) anchored the attack Tuesday night. Payton Reis pounded eight kills, while Rhiannon Genilla had four to go with five aces. Emma Kadillak led the back row with 13 digs, and Sarah Inderbitzin contributed eight points and two aces.

Lodi 3, Lathrop 0
LATHROP — Even with two starters out with injuries, the Spartans (0-3) managed to make a match of it before falling, 24-26, 22-25, 18-25.
Lathrop had chances to claim the first two sets. Lodi (3-2) rallied for the final three points to steal the opening set after trailing 22-24, then came back from a nine-point deficit to claim the second.
“We had a lot of players step up, we just weren’t clutch enough when we needed it,” Lathrop coach Heather Anderson said.
Malia Akers and Julianna Denning spiked six and five kills, respectively. Avleen Kaur contributed three kills and three aces. Setter Karina Chavez handed out 17 assists and collected 16 digs. Krystal Tempra added 21 digs, and Joselyn Hurtado chipped in 19. Harjass Kaur served four aces.

Tokay 3,
 Ripon Christian 0
LODI — The Knights (1-3) dropped their third straight against a strong opponent, faling 15-25, 11-25, 21-25.
Paige Vos registered 13 kills and three digs. Bethany Silveira contributed 13 digs, Taylor Alger rung up 18 assists and Lauren Braga added two kills and three digs.

Sophomore
Manteca 2, Los Banos 0
Manteca is now 3-0 after taming the Tigers, 25-8, 25-15.
Raelene Finley and Abby Arias fired four and three kills, respectively. Kaley Miller served nine points and a pair of aces.