It was a tough day for the Sierra High girls tennis squad.

Against visiting Oakdale, the Timberwolves played shorthanded in Tuesday’s 7-2 Valley Oak League loss at Manteca Regional Tennis Center.

“We were missing our No. 2 singles player,” said Sierra coach Vanessa Weeks. “According to the new rule, we had to move everyone up one notch.”

Maddie Banks, the Timberwolves’ No. 6 singles player, for example, had to battle it out against the Mustangs’ No. 5 Emily Johnson. She went three sets before losing, 4-6, 6-3, 4-6.

“I was really proud of the way Maddie played,” Weeks said.

Vannida Nguyen, Sierra’s No. 1 singles player, remained unbeaten, posting a straight set win over Christine Kim (6-1, 6-2).

No. 3 singles player Naomi Nunis also needed two sets to take care of Nicole Armstrong (6-1, 6-2).

Sierra (1-2) will travel to Weston Ranch on Thursday.



Weston Ranch 7, Sonora 2

The Cougars are 2-0 in VOL play.

“It’s always nice to escape Sonora with a victory,” said Weston Ranch coach Jason Furtado, who praised the efforts of top singles player Ly Hoang.

She defeated Jade Mena in straight sets (6-0, 6-0).

“Ly had an impressive victory and my doubles were equally impressive,” Furtado said.

His top doubles team of Nancy Nguyen and Sierra Bowman defeated the Wildcats’ duo of Stephanie Hart and Taylor Holloway (6-3, 6-4) while No. 2 Haruna Higshi and Cinda Moua (6-0, 6-1) and No. 3 Delarine Barut and Aby Balingit (6-3, 6-3) were also straight set winners.

In singles play, Aarelle Albino, the Cougars’ No. 2, stopped Kaylee Hamblin (6-2, 6-2).

Weston Ranch’s No. 4 Chelsea Olitan rolled past Margaret Maitese (6-0, 6-1) while Rainah Baet, the Cougars’ No. 6 player, was a straight-set winner over Stephanie Hollander (6-0, 6-1).

The Cougars will host Sierra on Thursday.



Manteca 8, Lathrop 1

The Buffaloes easily handled Lathrop in the one-sided VOL match.

Merchelle Alegado, who is the Spartans’ top singles player, was the lone standout for her team.

She needed three sets to finally stop Wendy Lin (6-3, 3-6, 10-7).

“Merchelle did an awesome job,” said Lathrop coach Rebecca Whitlock.

But Manteca’s Weley Lin, Rosa Zou, Adaeze Nkwocha, Jenny Yu, and No. 3 doubles team of Aleeyah Corboda and Noha Elabed proved to be too much for the Spartans (0-2). They won their respective matches without surrendering a single point.

In addition, Jasmine Sandhu beat Lathrop’s No. 2 singles player Lisa Lee (6-1, 6-2) while the top doubles team of Kaile Hunt and Mia Ramirez (6-0, 6-1) along with the No. 2 pairing of Liz Diaz and Ruth Habte (6-0, 6-1) came away with victories for the Buffaloes.

Manteca (2-1) will host East Union on Thursday.