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ROUNDUP: Ripon takes 8th at Svendsen water polo tourney
Svendsen Shootout
Brody Biedermann, from left, Benny Rogers and Ben Svoboda protect the Ripon goal from Turlock’s J.T. Weimer.

Ripon’s boys water polo team held its own against stiff competition in the 36th annual Roddy Svendsen Shootout held last Friday and Saturday at Merced College.

The reigning Sac-Joaquin Section Division III champion played in the challenging platinum division, winning one of four highly-competitive games against large-school opponents. The Indians, comprised of mostly underclassmen, finished in eighth place out of 16 teams in the bracket. Twenty-eight teams in all entered.

Svendsen Shootout
Ryan Bell finds a Ripon teammate while pressured by Turlock’s Luke Thomas (8) and J.T. Weimer (9). - photo by DAVE CAMPBELL
Ripon opened with a 14-9 win over Lodi, using a six-goal eruption in the second period to gain separation. Lodi was a finalist in the SJS Division II playoffs last season.

Up next was a rematch against Ponderosa, the team that knocked the Indians out of the NorCal Division III Regional Championships last year. The Bruins from Shingle Springs held on to win, 10-9.

On Saturday, the Indians ran into some hard luck in an 11-8 loss to Clovis West. They led 5-3 at halftime and ramped up the pressure on the offensive end over the final two quarters, only to bounce many of their shots off the goal frame.

Ripon was hampered by foul trouble in the finale, a 15-11 setback against Turlock. The team’s depth was immediately tested when its top defensive player, Owen Curtis, fouled out in the opening period. Three others picked up two fouls apiece.

Curtis managed to tie for the team lead with 10 steals and three blocks for the tournament despite the early exit. He also contributed three assists to the attack.

Ben Svoboda was Ripon’s top all-around producer with 11 goals, 11 assists, nine steals and three blocks. McKeane Beier also fired 11 goals and had 10 steals. Brody Biedermann amassed nine goals, eight assists, four steals and two blocks.

Teo West chipped in with six goals, six assists and nine steals. Sophomore goalie Benny Rogers compiled 22 saves, three assists and two steals. Eight of his blocks came in the triumph over Lodi.

Other key contributors: Chetan Harvey (steal), Ryan Bell (assist, three goals, five steals), Matthew Lee (two goals, two assists, three steals) and Nathan Selna (four saves).

Ripon returns to Valley Oak League action Thursday at home against Central Catholic.

 

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

Escalon 3, Ripon 0

The Cougars (10-0, 27-1 overall) are on their way to another Trans-Valley League title after vanquishing visiting Ripon on Monday, 25-17, 25-20, 25-14.

The Indians (6-2, 15-10) were led by Makenzie Loechler’s four overall blocks and two kills. Danika Matuska and Kylee Fullmer had four kills apiece.

Kaya Whittaker distributed nine assists, and Adriana Dorn had five to go with three kills and two blocks. Reagan Wilkerson came up with seven digs.

 

JV volleyball

Ripon 2, Escalon 0

Katelyn Bogetti set 13 assists, while Shayla McKeon rung up six kills and three digs to help Ripon (7-0 TVL, 19-0 overall) preserve its perfect record, 25-20, 25-20.

Amelia Lara added four kills and three aces. Olivia Maragos chipped in three digs and two aces.

 

Frosh volleyball

Ripon 2, Escalon 0

The Indians held on for the 25-18, 26-24 sweep.

Leading the way were setters Kyra Schnenger and Olivia Taylor. Schnenger finished with five assists, three aces and two kills, while Tayor had four assists, three kills and three aces. Ashley Campos picked up five digs.