RIPON — A Trans-Valley League boys volleyball thriller ended with a dominant effort for Ripon Christian, which prevailed against Hilmar 20-25, 26-24, 25-18, 22-25, 15-6 in the first-place battle Thursday.

Carter Garcia helped the Knights (3-0, 9-3 overall) stake a 10-1 lead in the final set by serving 10 consecutive points. Ripon Christian has now won six straight. Hilmar (2-1, 8-16), which reached the Sac-Joaquin Section Division III playoffs last year, has dropped six of its last eight but played tough competition in that stretch. 

“Great atmosphere, great match,” Knights coach Kevin Tameling said. “Two teams pushing each other to get better in this relatively new sport for both schools.”

Cade Alger accumulated 18 kills, five blocks and six digs to lead the way. Andrew Vander Weide added 13 kills to the attack, while Dillon Zuidervaart distributed 33 assists. 

Braden Van Groningen (nine kills, five blocks, three aces), Mark Ozenbaugh (four blocks) and Tristan DeShields (nine digs, two aces) also keyed the big win.

“Hilmar ran a quick and varied offense that we haven’t seen yet this year,” Tameling said. “We were not ready for that at the start and let them get out to a big lead early.”

After dropping the first set, Ripon Christian rallied to steal Game 2 after it was down 23-21 at one point to change the complexion of the match. The Knights continued their charge to win the third game before Hilmar momentarily regained control to force the deciding fifth game.

TENNIS

Kimball 5, Manteca 4

TRACY — Solman Aniss finally got the better of reigning Valley Oak League champion Logan Le, 6-3, 6-2, but it was not enough for Manteca to upend the still-undefeated Jaguars. 

The Buffaloes (6-2) dropped their second match in as many days but put forth a valiant effort. They’ll get a chance to redeem themselves at home in a make-up match with Kimball on Monday.

“Kimball is in first place, but we had chances and definitely pushed them today,” Manteca coach Frank Fontana said. “Solman had a good day and controlled the rallies throughout the match. He put together a really solid performance today without any letdowns.”

Harshawn Singh (6-0, 6-2) and Nick Pio (6-3, 6-4) picked up wins at No. 5 and 6 singles, respectively. The Buffaloes also won at No. 1 doubles, with Niko Plares and Ryan Foo coming back, 1-6, 6-4, 6-4.

Kimball picked up a big team point in the No. 4 singles match won by Chance Mizuno 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 against DeAngelo Caldera. The Jaguars’ second doubles team of Giovanni Stagnaro and Luke Ninh held off Ravpreet Grewal and Kayson Neduvakkattu, 6-4, 7-6(11).  

East Union 6, Weston Ranch 3

The Lancers were able to grind out three-set wins in all doubles matches to come out on top.

Steven Chan and Michael Hillier edged out Kelton DeSouza and Alex Yan at No. 1 doubles, 3-6, 6-0, 7-5. Matthew Mendoza and Harpreet Dhaliwal held on for a 1-6, 6-2, 6-4 victory over Isaac Diaz and Kalep Phaysaleum. In the third doubles match, Dustin Ngo and Vincent Perez outlasted Daniel Ngo and Maxwell Sithiphong, 7-5, 5-7, 6-4.

Several singles contests were just as competitive, with Weston Ranch’s Noah Beltran edging out Luis Tristan 6-4, 6-4 in the No. 1 showdown. The Cougars also got wins from No. 4 Tony Arteaga (6-0, 1-6, 6-3) and No. 6 Juan Pascual (6-2, 6-0). 

East Union’s singles winners were Matthew Trinidad (6-0, 6-4), Mathew Vadachira (6-2, 6-0) and Tarunjit Singh (6-3, 7-5).

Sierra 9, Lathrop 0

The Timberwolves dropped just two games total in the lopsided victory.

Kyle Banks, Jason Machado and Mat Len blanked their opponents. Fabian Barda defeated Aaron Johnson, 6-0, 6-2. Milton Yamomo and Jassan Gill won 6-0, 6-0 at No. 1 doubles. Lathrop forfeited the other two doubles matches.

GOLF

East Union 222, Manteca 272

Tyler Griggs finished even par with a 37 to lead East Union (8-2 VOL) at Manteca Park Golf Course.

Kyle Dorland (42), Gabriel Espinoza (45) and Brandon Ugalino (45) followed with solid rounds. Dawson Mix rounded out scoring with a 53.

Scoring for the Buffaloes (3-7) were Matsua Garcia-Mendez (48), Isaac Bill (51), Nathan Ibe (53), Marc Buenrostro (59) and Michael Reed (61).

Ripon 211, Modesto Christian DQ

RIPON — The Indians (6-2 TVL) got the easy win with Modesto Christian only fielding one player.

Nico Ilardi and Cade McCusker were co-medalists at Jack Tone Golf Course with 5-over-37s. Kenny Johnson (41), Seth Whitley (47) and Brandan Williamson (49) also factored into the team score.