RIPON — Led by freshman Gabi Ilardi, Ripon’s girls golf team has passed two early tests in defense of its Valley Foothill League North Division co-championship.
On Tuesday, the Indians hosted fellow co-titlist Bret Harte and won handily 147-218 at Jack Tone Golf Course. They opened league Monday with a 189-251 victory over Summerville but were challenged by the difficult par-35 Phoenix Lake Golf Course.
“We have started out well this year,” Ripon coach Eric Dambrosio said. “I think we will be very competitive.”
Ilardi was low medalist for both contests.
Against Bret Harte, she finished 5-over 36 while staving off teammates Bianca Toledo, Kassidy Isham and Zoe Bremer — each carded a 37. Myra Toledo managed a league point with a sixth-place score of 44. Emma Canepa scored a 41 for Bret Harte. Bremer is a returning sophomore who won last year’s VFL North Tournament. The rest are seniors.
Ilardi registered a 44 Monday at Phoenix Lake. Bianca Toledo was again one strike shy of the leader, while Isham placed third with a 48. Myra Toledo and Bremer added a 52 apiece, and Summerville’s Emily Walters turned in a 51.
Ripon next hosts Linden on Tuesday, Sept. 3.

VOLLEYBALL
Ripon Christian 3, Bret Harte 0
RIPON — Morgan Van Elderen struck for 13 kills to go with 20 assists as the Knights rolled to a 25-20, 25-20, 25-19 sweep.
Emily Van Groningen contributed eight kills and 17 digs. Alexis Hilvers rapped six kills. Ripon Christian travels to Stone Ridge Christian on Friday.

Ripon Christian 3, Modesto Christian 0
RIPON — Ripon Christian was too much for the Crusaders 25-11, 25-20, 25-17 in the Sac-Joaquin Section Foundation Game. The match, which helps fund SJS scholarship programs, does not count against records.
Van Elderen produced a triple-double with 10 kills, 16 assists and 12 digs. Ariel Vander Woude came up three kills shy of a triple-double of her own, also racking up 25 assists and 11 digs. Van Groningen chipped in 10 kills and 14 digs.