Two-time reigning Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV champion Sierra opened the Valley Oak League boys tennis season Thursday with an 8-1 victory over a much-improved East Union team that has already matched its overall win total from last year.
The visiting Lancers (0-1 VOL, 2-2 overall) were competitive in multiple spots, but not enough to get over the hump against the Timberwolves (1-0, 3-1), who improved to 20-3 on their home courts in the last three years.
At No. 2 singles, Sierra’s Ryan Alves overcame a strong effort from Jithin Joy, 7-5, 6-3. No. 3 Ashton Hillard took care of Anh Tran 6-4, 6-2 after a back-and-forth opening set. Noah Brum fended off Muhammad Hussain 6-4, 6-4 at No. 5 singles.
Sierra’s No. 2 doubles team of Raunak Mahar and Reyansh Bansode repelled Carl Azevedo and Camden Collier, 6-4, 6-4.
Sierra senior Zainn Ali quickly vanquished freshman Adrian Joseph Sanchez 6-0, 6-0 in the No. 6 singles match. Narhith Kumar took care of business at the top of the ladder against Christopher De Santos, 6-1, 6-2. Himmat Dosanjh prevailed at No. 4 singles 6-3, 6-1 against Eli Kotta.
Ashvin Gill and Leelasourav Veeravili rolled to a 6-0, 6-1 win over Karthik Sharma and Matthew Roldan in No. 3 doubles, 6-0, 6-1.
East Union’s lone win came at No. 1 doubles, as Curtis Hansen and Martin Kalladanthyil dispatched Sagar Shah and Arnav Sah, 6-1, 6-2.
Sierra travels to Pitman for a non-league match today, while East Union goes to Central Catholic next Tuesday.
WRESTLING
CIF State Championships
Manteca’s Liliana Rios and Breanna Bragg will have to battle through the consolation rounds today to make it to the final day of the California Interscholastic Federation State Championships at Mechanics Bank Arena in Bakersfield.
Making her second state appearance, Rios opened her campaign in the 235-pound bracket Friday with a 1 minute, 51-second pinfall victory over Cabrillo’s Lellah Carter. She was then stopped in 4:42 by sixth-seeded Isabella Lorenzana of Marina.
Seeded 22nd, Rios awaits whoever wins between San Jose’s Alexandra Marquez-Armas and Brawley’s Madison Vandiver in the consolation round of 16.
Freshman Bragg drew the top-seeded 110-pounder at the outset and was pinned in 2:34 by Buchanan’s Christina Estrada. She’ll try to stave off elimination today against Maya Avila from Granada Hills.
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Manteca 3, West 0
Rob Hevener ended the match with two straight solo blocks, and Manteca improved to 2-0 with the 25-19, 25-11, 25-22 win.
Hevener finished with seven kills and six blocks. Jesus Gomez led the attack with 15 kills.
Jesus Gomez 15 kills, while Drew Woodruff anchored the defense with 13 digs. Freshman setter Chandler Harris dished out 19 assists.
East Union 3, Chavez 2
In Stockton, the Lancers (3-1) pulled out their second five-set win in as many nights, 25-20, 21-25, 25-22, 18-25, 16-4.
Gabriel Estabillo pounded out 19 kills to go with four digs. Jon Apsay pitched in with four kills and four aces. Isaac Serrato netted 30 assists, six digs and two blocks. Freshman libero Javier Sandoval had 10 digs.
COED TENNIS
Ripon 5, Delhi 4
It came down to the mixed doubles match won by Ripon’s Joshua Sanchez and Salina Epperson, 5-7, 6-1, 10-7.
The visiting Indians swept the four all-girls match-up. No. 1 singles player Brookelyn Betschart took care of business, 6-2, 6-3. Lily Meyer took care of Liz Contreras, 6-0, 6-3.
In doubles, Sophie Douglas and Alyssa Lan triumphed, 6-0, 6-3. The No. 2 tandem of Molly Berger and Abby Douglas swept, 6-0, 6-0.
JV boys volleyball
Manteca 2, West 0
Hergunn Kang served 11 points, and Ethan Sereno had nine, as the Buffaloes (2-0) made quick work of the visiting Wolf Pack, 25-15, 25-9.
Chavez 2, East Union 0
The Lancers came up short on the road, 18-25, 15-25.
Sam Roman paced them with five service points and four assists. Marco Chandra registered four blocks and two kills. Mikail Sherzad also had two kills.
