MODESTO — Buried by its own mistakes early on, Manteca dropped a three-game loss (22-25, 23-25, 17-25) at Central Catholic in a battle for sole possession of second place.

The Buffaloes fell to 3-2 in the Valley Oak League, 5-5 overall.

“We couldn’t get on track tonight,” Manteca assistant coach Mike Morenzone said. “We were just a step slow on everything. We battled and had our opportunities in the first two games but we let a few balls drop that shouldn’t be dropped.”

Payton Reis blasted nine kills, while Sarah Inderbitzin had three stuffed blocks. Kaitlyn Morenzone dished out 15 assists. Aryanna Martinez added four kills.

The loss makes Monday’s match with Weston Ranch, which is also 3-2, even more important. Manteca swept in the first meeting on Sept. 22.

Weston Ranch 3, Sierra 1

STOCKTON — Jennifer Viguerias accumulated 32 assists and five aces as the host Cougars (3-2, 8-7) held off Sierra (0-5, 3-10) in four games — 25-11, 25-14, 17-25, 25-19.

Amaya Finley hammered 13 kills. Iris Murphy led the defense with 27 digs.

Vanesa Benham recorded seven kills for the Timberwolves. Lindsey Walljasper chimed in with five to go with two blocks. Cecilia Salcedo passed for 15 assists.

Oakdale 3, East Union 0

OAKDALE — The Mustangs (5-0, 11-9) nearly had their streak of three-game victories against VOL opponents end Thursday, but they we able to stave off East Union (2-3, 6-6) in the competitive third set for a 25-19, 25-12, 25-23 victory.

East Union had a chance to extend the match in the third game, pulling ahead 23-22 at one point.

“We just couldn’t capitalize in the end,” said East Union coach Rich Posz, adding that unforced errors kept the Lancers out of the lopsided second game.

Alissa Burrola paced a balanced East Union attack with five kills. Melissa King (eight assists) and Haley England contributed three kills apiece. Sophie Williams finished with five blocks, and Amy Gann posted eight digs.

Southern League

Ripon Christian 3, Denair 0

DENAIR — It was a short trip for the Knights (5-0, 9-8), who thumped Denair 25-21, 25-3, 25-6.

Carly Eastham pounded 11 kills to lead Ripon Christian. Paige Vos chipped in with six as well as eight digs. Bethany Silveira finished with 11 digs. Beth Weststeyn and Hailey Van Laar were the assist leaders with 16 and seven, respectively.

Sophomore

Sierra 2, Weston Ranch 0

STOCKTON — Emma Brierly served up seven aces, and Melanie Fox handed out six assists as Sierra rolled to a 25-10, 25-22 sweep over Weston Ranch (0-5, 2-8).

Weston Ranch’s freshman team won a three-set thriller, 22-25, 26-24, 15-13.