Ripon ran visiting Hilmar 25-13 in the first set Thursday night before having to battle through the next two 25-22, 25-14 for the sweep in Trans-Valley League girls volleyball action.

“Hilmar kept playing hard,” Ripon coach Devyn Soliz said. “They served the ball, we didn’t pass the ball very well.

“I think maybe we took them a little lightly, so I kind of had to lay into them a little bit, but once they figured it out and got some rhythm going we were able to come back. We just had to settle down.”

Aces played a role in the final two sets for Ripon (8-0 TVL, 18-2 overall). With the score tied 21-21 in the second set, Ashlyn Malone (11 kills, seven digs, two aces) and Kennedy Everhart each had an ace on the way to the 25-22 win and Ripon’s Jorie Eskes (10 kills, four digs, three aces) toed the service line in the third set with the Yellowjackets (4-5, 14-15) leading 10-8 before she hammered out five straight points behind a pair of aces and Ripon never trailed again.

Ripon’s Alayna Sprinkle was busy dishing out 36 assists along with seven digs.

“It’s just fun to set people who can hit the ball really hard,” Sprinkle said. “And it’s just really fun playing with all of them and set up such amazing hitters.”

Everhart patrolled the back line with a vengeance hustling for 12 digs and posting three assists.

“I love playing defense,” Everhart said. “It’s pretty much my job. The hustle is basically what I live for.

“Any touch I can get is my life. I love it.”

Lily Tuputula blasted 12 kills with four digs for Ripon and after many of her kills the spirited Ripon student section would chant, “She’s a freshman, she’s a freshman.”

“Defense is my job,” Tuputula said. “I think it really helps with Alayna (Sprinkle) setting me up for every hit and bringing the energy to the court.”

Elysa Meineke (five kills), Reese Bert (four kills), Brooklyn Barajas (four digs) and Kya Cardosa (three aces) rounded out the Ripon attack.

Ripon will participate in the 18th Annual Stockton Classic on Saturday before continuing the TVL schedule Tuesday on the road against Orestimba at 6 p.m.

Junior varsity

Ripon 2, Hilmar 0

Audrey Higgins hammered out seven digs with five aces and three kills to lead Ripon to a 25-22, 25-15 sweep.

Ripon’s Blakely Miller added four kills and three digs with Lexi Branham chipping in seven assists and a dig.