Manteca has all but secured at least a share of a second straight Valley Oak League girls volleyball championship, but fellow reigning co-champ Oakdale did not make it easy on Wednesday.

The Buffaloes survived a back-and-forth, five-set battle at Oakdale, prevailing 21-25, 25-13, 21-25, 25-17, 15-13. They cap the regular season on Monday at last-place Patterson, which has one overall win on the season.

There’s still a chance that Manteca (9-2 VOL, 17-4 overall) claims the title outright, as Sierra has two matches remaining at home, both against tough opponents in Central Catholic and Oakdale (6-5, 17-14).

Taimane Tu’uga spearheaded the Buffs at Oakdale with 23 kills, 16 digs and three service aces. Trinity Todd added 18 kills and six blocks. Na’ima Calderon contributed eight kills.

Katie Anderson (20 assists, 12 digs, two aces) and Jill De Costa Aldape (19 assists, seven digs, two kills, two blocks) shared setting duties.

Maddie Nunes (13 digs, three assists), Lana Bondoc (seven digs, two aces) and Chloe Martin (nine digs) led the back row. Cali Vanni pitched in with four aces.

GIRLS TENNIS

Manteca 7, Sierra 2

The No. 1 doubles team of Ziqi Huang and Caitlyn Vu won the most competitive match for Manteca (9-1 VOL, 13-6-1 overall), outlasting Bhavika Karthikeyan and Janessa Felix, 2-6, 7-5, 10-5.

In singles, No. 1 Kailie Kim and No. 3 Rae Limbago both won 6-0, 6-0, while No. 2 Reina Ngo coasted, 6-1, 6-0. Ekam Ghuman won the No. 6 match, 6-1, 6-2. Paisley Coenenberg held off Sasha Martin at No. 5, 7-5, 6-2.

Alyson Alvarado and Cat Estrada Perez combined to win at No. 2 doubles, 6-3, 6-2.

Earning wins for Sierra (5-5, 9-6) were No. 4 singles Aishwarya Bollu over Saihaj Ghuman 6-3, 6-4, and No. 3 doubles Nadine Yamomo and Anjana Barath, 6-4, 6-0,.

Both teams are back in action today, with Manteca at first-place Mountain House and Sierra at home against Oakdale.

FLAG FOOTBALL

Lathrop 7, Livingston 0

The Spartans (11-1, 17-3 overall) annexed a second consecutive outright crown in the Western Athletic Conference, but the clinching win did not come easily at Livingston (6-6, 10-13)

Quarterback Avaihna Calderon ran in the lone touchdown. Ja’Leiyah Ray powered the offense with 80 yards on eight rushes and another 34 yards on three receptions.

Sareah Reed (sack) and Arlette Quiroz (pass break-up) each had five flag pulls to lead the defense.

Lathrop hosts Lincoln tonight for a non-league contest, before closing the regular season next week against Central Valley and Beyer.

JV flag football

Lathrop 14, Livingston 0

Alexia Garcia completed touchdown passes of 8 and 33 yards to Arianna Miller and Vanescia Rodriguez, respectively.

Jackie Avalos anchored the shutout with seven flag pulls, two sacks and a safety. Ayeli Amezcua added five flag pulls and two safeties.