Manteca has drawn even with rival Sierra at the top of the Valley Oak League girls volleyball standings after grinding out a second straight five-game victory on Wednesday.

The defending co-champion Buffaloes won 19-25, 25-12, 19-25, 25-18, 15-11 against visiting Mountain House, which is making a mounting a late charge into contention.

Manteca (7-2, 14-4 overall) and Sierra are tied for the lead, with Oakdale trailing by one match and Mountain House by two. Last week, Mountain House (5-4, 9-13) outlasted Oakdale in a five-setter and stunned Sierra in four two nights later.

With six-rotation outside hitter Ariceli McBroom still out to injury, Manteca leaned on its depth to notch its fourth straight win.

Taimane Tu’uga led the Buffaloes with 16 kills, 16 digs, two blocks and two aces. Middle hitter Trinity Todd tagged 14 kills to go with two solo blocks.

Na’ima Calderon and Kyndall Newquist contributed five kills apiece, and Jill DeCosta Aldape pitched in four. Calderon also served four aces.

Setter Katie Anderson facilitated the attack with 28 assists. She also picked up 10 digs on defense. Maddie Nunes amassed 20 digs and four assists. Lana Bondoc contributed nine digs and two aces.

Manteca will compete in the 18th annual Stockton Classic on Saturday before returning to league action next Monday at East Union.

FLAG FOOTBALL

Lathrop 38, Ceres 0

The Spartans (8-1, 15-3 overall) rebounded from their first Western Athletic Conference loss of the season with the emphatic road win.

Ja’Leiyah Ray racked up 105 scrimmage yards on nine touches for four total touchdowns. She also highlighted the shutout with three interceptions.

Quarterback Aviahna Calderon completed 16 of 20 passes for 130 yards and four touchdowns. Jaylah Seabron (four catches, 47 yards) and Tianna Gonzalez each caught a touchdown.

Aaliyah Thompson led the defense with seven flag pulls. Alyssa Herrera had two sacks and four QB hurries.

JV flag football

Lathrop 18, Ceres 0

Ryleigh Race kept the shutout intact with a goal-line interception that she returned 79 yards for a touchdown.

Vanescia Rodriguez led the attack with 10 carries for 53 yards and a touchdown. Jasmine Elayba added a 12-yard touchdown run.