LIVINGSTON — Ripon Christian’s boys volleyball team completed a tough stretch Thursday in its quest for a second straight Trans-Valley League championship.
The Knights are in great position to do so after completing a season sweep of second-place Livingston on Thursday but needed to endure another five-set marathon on the road. They edged past the Wolves, 25-21, 15-25, 25-16, 23-25, 15-10.
On Wednesday, Ripon Christian (5-0 TVL, 12-2 overall) battled back from a two-game deficit to win at Hilmar. Thursday’s contest was its fourth in four days.
“Our team was challenged to face this gauntlet of four TVL matches in four days and they rose to the occasion the two days with very competitive matches,” RC coach Kevin Tameling said.
Cade Alger swatted 22 kills to pace the Knights. Braden Van Groningen added eight kills and three blocks. Michael Kamps set 17 assists to go with three blocks. Ryan Dotinga served five aces.
While the usual standouts helped lead the way, Tameling credited libero Derek Scholten and middle blockers Kyler O’Conner and Drew Van Vliet for coming up with big plays at crucial times.
Ripon Christian gets a deserved break before welcoming Manteca next Tuesday for a non-league contest.

Lathrop 3, Pacheco 0
LATHROP — The Spartans (8-0, 22-1 overall) are a win away from securing the first outright league championship in school history after routing Pacheco (0-7, 0-8), 25-7, 25-13, 25-17.
With three Western Athletic Conference matches remaining, Lathrop can secure the title next Tuesday at second-place Ceres.
Gabriel Gutierrez tallied 13 kills and 10 digs, while Tyler Riggleman contributed 11 kills, 16 digs and four aces. R.J. Carmesis handed out 33 assists and served three aces.

SOFTBALL
Ripon 10, Riverbank 0
RIVERBANK — Sydney Thomason pitched a five-inning perfect game and fired six strikeouts in the process for the Trans-Valley League-leading Indians (6-0, 12-0 overall).
She was again supported by a productive attack that doled out 12 hits, six of which went for doubles. Mackenzie Hutchinson had three RBIs while Caitlynn Campbell drove in two. They each clubbed a double and a home run.

GOLF
Ripon Christian 181, Waterford 251
RIPON — The Knights (6-0 Southern Athletic League) took advantage of near-perfect weather conditions at Jack Tone Golf Course.
Danton Indelicato carded an impressive 2-under 29 for medalist honors. Darin Doek (33), Camdan Indelicato (37), Alec Berghorst (39) and Dylan Koolhaus (41) also finished better that Waterford’s top player Cameron West, who turned in a 44.

Ripon 227, Hilmar DQ
Turlock — Two days after winning TVL’s mid-season tournament, Nico Ilardi continued his tear with a 1-over-par 37 at Turlock Country Club. Hilmar forfeited the match for not having five players with qualifying scores.
Others scoring for the Indians (7-2): Cade McCusker (48), Kenny Johnson (45), Aidan Nilsson (51) and Gage Anderson (46).

TENNIS
Manteca 8, East Union 1
Coming off back-to-back heartbreaking losses, the Buffaloes (6-2 VOL) bounced back with a dominant effort against their cross-town rival.
Solman Aniss (6-0, 6-0), Kurtis Ma (6-1, 6-0), Nick Pio (6-0, 6-1), Harshawn Singh (6-0, 6-0) Kayson Neduvakkattu (6-0, 6-0) and Julian Gosal (6-2, 7-5) all swept their singles matches.
Manteca’s doubles winners were Kevin Lin/Ryan Foo (6-1, 6-0) and Ravpreet Grewal/Kiersten Melan (6-2, 6-1). East Union won its only match at No. 3 doubles, with Aaron Mosley and Jesse Batres prevailing, 6-4, 6-1.

Johansen 9, Lathrop 0
MODESTO — Ritchie Blase dropped the No. 1 singles match 6-2, 6-3 to Johansen’s Fabian Ramirez. Matthew Schuck fell at No. 2 singles, 2-6, 2-6.

JV volleyball
Lathrop 2, East Union 0
Jason Seabron Jr. and Veeonn Taito hammered five and four kills, respectively, as the Spartans (6-0, 9-3) marched closer to the WAC title with a 25-11, 25-17 win.
Tory Sumbler chipped in 13 assists and 15 digs.