Manteca boys tennis team played its second match in as many days and picked up another win that keeps it within reach of the Valley Oak League championship.
The Buffaloes coasted past visiting Kimball 7-2 Friday in a make-up match at Manteca Regional Tennis Center. The team has had a slow start to the season because of recent rainstorms limiting its court time, but coach Frank Fontana believes the Buffs are beginning to round into form.
Manteca is now 2-2 in league after dropping its first two to Central Catholic and Oakdale.
“We are finally hitting our groove,” Fontana said. “After getting to play a couple of days in row, the form is coming back. It was our best match of the season, thus far.”
Manteca swept all six singles matches and added another win at No. 1 doubles.
At the top of the ladder, Yok Chai Ma blanked Aiden Mallick 6-0, 6-0. Emiliano Hurtado (6-0, 6-1), Ivan Barajas (6-1, 6-3), Michael OSanna (6-1, 6-2), Michael Levchenko (6-0, 6-1) and Vincent Almeida (6-1, 6-0).
Landon Butler and Declan Edwards teamed up to beat Tajveer Singh and Ritvik Chemudugmunta, 6-3, 6-3.
BASEBALL
East Union 5, Weston Ranch 4
Dylan Lee and Blake Mount each hit a solo homer, and Ryan Guibor drilled a two-run triple to lift the host Lancers (6-2) to the non-league victory at Agostini Field.
A.J. Vasquez pitched the final four innings in relief and got the win.
East Union begins VOL play with a three-game set against Oakdale starting on the road next Monday.
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Weston Ranch 3, Lathrop 2
The host Spartans (14-5) missed an opportunity to avenge a previous three-set loss against their “Battle of I-5” rival. They took the first two sets before ultimately dropping the non-league contest, 25-16, 25-21, 21-25, 22-25, 9-15.
Jerico Santillan paced Lathrop with 18 kills, four solo blocks and eight digs. Gabriel Fa’ali’i added 20 kills, three aces and seven digs. Christian Buerster had six kills and three total blocks. Marco Palomares served six aces to go with four kills and three blocks.
Lucas Baluyut anchored the defense with 34 digs, and setter Alexander Vere racked up 43 assists.
JV boys volleyball
Weston Ranch 2, Lathrop 1
Lathrop was dealt a 25-14, 16-25, 10-15 defeat.
Justin Alvarez had eight kills and five digs for the Spartans. Persius Fa’ali’i contributed four kills and nine digs. Edmund Balugo collected 16 digs, while Jorge Reyes tallied 16 assists.
