CERES — Lathrop High’s first boys volleyball team comprised of all underclassmen two years ago.
A handful of those players have stuck around, and they’re poised to make some history. The Spartans continued their hot start to the season with a 25-16, 25-16, 25-17 thumping of Ceres on Tuesday, establishing themselves as the team to beat in the five-team Western Athletic Conference.
It has been a busy past few days for Lathrop, now 10-0 (2-0 in the WAC). On Monday, the Spartans took down reigning Trans-Valley League champion Ripon Christian in four games — their only match so far that has not ended in a sweep. And this past weekend they claimed the Stockton Classic title.
“It has been a whirlwind,” second-year Lathrop coach Heather Anderson said. “We’ve had a lot of games in a short amount of time. We have a ton of experience from some leaders who are really taking control. They have been working at it, and this is just the year that they are putting the talent and experience together. It’s making a big difference.”
They’re led by two hard-hitting front-row players in third-year seniors Tyler Riggleman and Gabriel Gutierrez. Riggleman tagged a team-high 19 kills, while Gutierrez added 10 kills, four aces and five assists. Sophomore setter R.J. Carmesis handed out 36 assists. Adrian Corona contributed six kills and two aces.
Lathrop hosts Los Banos on Thursday.

BASEBALL
East Union 11, Escalon 7
Fresh off the soccer season, Fernando Segura struck out nine and surrendered four hits and two walks over six innings in his first start for the Lancers (2-1). He was the starting goalie for East Union’s NorCal-qualifying soccer team.
Escalon (3-1) threatened late in the non-league contest at Agostini Field, plating six runs in the final two innings. East Union broke it open with a five-run rally in the fifth to go ahead, 9-1.
Cameron Ceja highlighted the offensive explosion with a two-run homer, finishing 3 for 3 with three runs and three driven in. Zach White went 3 for 3 with a double.

BOYS GOLF
Ripon Christian 187, Hughson DQ
RIPON — Camdan Indelicato shot 1-over 32 in a non-league match Monday at Jack Tone Golf Course.
Ripon Christian also got solid scores from Danton Indelicato (33), Alex Berghorst (37) and Darin Doek (38). Hughson was led by Caleb Thornhill’s 36.

JV baseball
East Union 11, Escalon 0
Mateo Guevara batted 3 for 3 with three doubles and four RBIs, and Austin Orr (2 for 3, three RBIs) blasted a home run.
Willie Segura went 3 for 4 with three runs scored and three driven in. He also fired five strikeouts in two scoreless innings in relief. Winning pitcher John Perazzo threw the first three innings in the combined five-hitter.

JV volleyball
Lathrop 2, Ceres 0
CERES — Kyle Constantino collected five kills and three aces to help Lathrop prevail, 25-23, 25-18.
Arman John added four kills and an ace. Christopher Millan had three kills, and Tory Sumbler set 13 assists.