Taimane Tu’uga is back, and just in time for the Manteca girls volleyball team to make its run at the Valley Oak League title.

The junior outside hitter helped the Buffaloes complete their hard-earned season sweep of reigning champion Central Catholic on Monday, thumping 30 kills during the 25-22, 23-25, 24-26, 25-21, 19-17 victory in Modesto.

Manteca (7-2 VOL, 11-8 overall) trails first-place Oakdale by a match with three to go. Oakdale (8-1, 11-13) visits the Buffaloes in the league finale on Oct. 21.

Monday marked Tu’uga’s first appearance in league since going down with an ankle injury during the Buffs’ previous matchup with Central Catholic (6-4, 11-12). Manteca managed to still win that match also in five sets.

Tu’uga was solid all-around in her return, adding eight digs, three service aces and an assisted block. Middle Trinity Todd tallied 10 kills, five total blocks and three digs. Talia Shellbourne also had 10 kills, and Saniyah Anthony contributed seven kills, 15 digs and three assists.

Ariceli McBroom chimed in with two kills, 14 digs and six aces. Libero Peyton McDonald paced the busy back line with 17 digs to go with four assists and two aces. Setter Riley Ward racked up 27 assists, seven digs and two aces. Gracey Green pitched in with 16 assists, two kills, two aces and four digs.

Manteca has two more challenges ahead before its rematch with Oakdale starting with a road tilt at Mountain House tonight.

Lathrop 3, Johansen 0

The Spartans (11-0, 18-6 overall) are on their way to clinching a second-consecutive Western Athletic Conference crown after a one-sided 25-10, 25-17, 25-8 win over visiting Johansen.

Erin Chunn led the attack with 15 kills while picking up seven digs defensively. Ayden Petroff netted 25 assists, four kills, two aces and two digs. Sariah Hilton pitched in with seven assists, six aces and six digs.

Jadore Dixon (six digs, four aces), Siliana Fa’atualofa (five kills, eight digs, two aces), Justine Mabutas (eight digs), Shakara Porter (four kills, block, two digs) and Breana Wiseman (three kills, block) were other key contributors.

FLAG FOOTBALL

Lathrop 30, Johansen 18

Jaleiyah Ray totaled more than 150 yards from scrimmage to go with three touchdowns for the WAC co-leading Spartans (9-2, 14-3).

The junior amassed 114 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries, while adding 42 yards and another TD on two receptions. On defense, she broke up four passes and picked off one.

Moira Ramones contributed an 18-yard touchdown run, finishing with five rushes for 46 yards. Quarterback Luz De Luna finished with 70 passing yards, two TDs and an interception.

Dayanna Martinez anchored the defense with seven tackles, one for loss, three pass breakups and an interception.

Lathrop 2, Johansen 0

Lathrop served with little resistance in the 25-5, 25-15 sweep.

Irshbir Bisla registered six aces to go with two kills, while Audrina Fisher fired five aces with three kills and four digs. Cassidy Fa’ali’i chipped in four aces, five assists, two kills and four digs.

Andrea Lemus put away a team-high eight kills, and setter Alexza Bringas delivered 12 assists. Lilyana Murillo contributed five digs and two assists.

JV flag football

Lathrop 40, Johansen 0

Marianna Coon found different ways to get to the end zone for Lathrop, scoring on a 34-yard reception, 27-yard rush and a 38-yard punt return.

Vanescia Rodriguez added a 20-yard touchdown reception and a 36-yard touchdown run. Jayla Seabron scored on a 44-yard scamper.

Ailyn Alcaraz highlighted the defense with two sacks and a deflected pass.

Frosh girls volleyball

Lathrop 2, Johansen 0

Juliet Tara led Lathrop to a 25-19, 25-14 win with her 12 assists, eight aces and three digs.

Lanayah Denson (five kills), Zakia Booker (four kills) and Ne’Nyah Belion (three aces two kills) were other offensive standouts, while Ariannah Sheel (five digs) paced the defense.