Kevin Bolding summed up Manteca’s trip to Oakdale as a “tough night.”

It was also a short one.

In a must-win situation, the Buffaloes lacked urgency at the start of their 8-25, 17-25, 18-25 loss to the Valley Oak League leader on Tuesday. The tone was set in the first game.

“It was almost as if we needed the first game as a warm-up,” Bolding said.

Manteca (4-5 VOL, 7-8 overall) would eventually get untracked, but by that point the Mustangs (9-1, 19-12) were already rolling. Alyssa Burch had seven kills, while Taylor Bays and Melissa Hansen contributed 11 and 10 digs, respectively, for the Buffs.

“Our passing just was not good to start,” Bolding said. “It obviously got better as we went on but it just has to get better.

“Oakdale is good, and I would say they’ve even improved since the last time we played them. They served tough and came out fast right from the stuff. It took us a while to get into it for some reason.”

Manteca can still make the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs by finishing in the top three but has a lot of work to do in its final five matches. The Buffaloes next host Weston Ranch tonight.



Central Catholic 3, Weston Ranch 1

In Stockton, the Cougars (2-7, 6-8) put forth a game effort against one of the VOL’s top clubs. Central Catholic (8-1, 12-8) avoided a fifth set in its 25-17, 25-19, 25-23, 27-25 win.

Victoria collected 15 kills and 32 digs for Weston Ranch. Elizabeth Alexander finished with 14 assists, and Brijanae Moore chimed in with three blocks. Lauren Nicholson led the Raiders from Modesto with 17 kills.



Sierra 3, Lathrop 1

Kristen Maestretti pounded 14 kills as host Sierra (2-7, 3-11) completed its season sweep of the Spartans (0-10, 1-13), 25-22, 20-25, 25-22, 25-12.

Tayler Moss dished out 23 assists in the win, and Julie DeAnda added nine digs.



Southern League

Ripon Christian 3,
Mariposa 0

In Ripon, the Knights (9-1, 20-5) were able to hold off dangerous to maintain sole possession of first place. They swept, 25-21, 25-21, 25-23.

Dani Erdelatz led the way with 17 kills and two blocks. Julia Ray added nine kills. Elizabeth Regusi racked up 30 assists, Makenna Koslosky picked up 17 digs and Bailey Silveira turned in six aces.

 

Sophomore

Sierra 2, Lathrop 0

Vanessa Padilla served five aces as Sierra’s rolled to a 25-16, 25-21 victory.



Freshman

Sierra 2, Lathrop 0

The Timberwolves cruised to a 25-13, 25-14 win behind Melanie Fox’s 12 service points and six aces.

Kylie Matteroli contributed eight services points, five of which went for aces. Lindsey Walljasper chipped in three kills.