LATHROP — Lathrop head volleyball coach Heather Anderson is more concerned with how her team performs than wins and losses at this point in the season.
The Spartans, playing their fourth match in seven days, picked up their first victory of 2018 on Thursday, getting contributions all over the court as they swept past visiting Lodi, 25-19-25-22, 25-19.
They did defeat Sierra on Monday in a Foundation Game, which does not count against records, but it was sandwiched by three-set road losses to Ripon and Tokay. Lathrop faces Franklin next Tuesday before competing in the Western Athletic Conference for the first time two days later.
“I always schedule tough teams to prep us for league,” Anderson said. “I want us to be challenged and we’re not worried about our preseason record. (Lodi) was tough and hung in there the whole time, we just communicated really well and the offense moved really well.
“It was a good way to bounce from a tough loss to Tokay, and so many girls contributed.”
Seven different Lathrop players contributed kills in what Anderson called a “monster night” for her team.
Outside hitter Jahsita Fa’alii led the charge with 20 kills and 10 digs. Setter Karina Chavez added five kills to go with 38 assists. Jordan Corner chipped in eight kills, while Avleen Kaur and Chanelle Prado had four each. Krystal Tempra anchored the defense with 26 digs.
Escalon 3, Ripon Christian 0
ESCALON — The Knights (2-1) cruised to two road wins to start the season, but their schedule gets more challenging before the start of Southern Athletic League play.
They fell to Escalon (5-3) on Thursday, 7-25, 15-25, 20-25. Ripon Christian hosts Tokay and rival Ripon next week.
“There are some areas exposed more in this game than others if we want to continue to grow,” RC coach Jocelyn Benziger said. “This group of girls has the heart and desire to do so.”
TENNIS
Manteca 9, Modesto 0
The Buffaloes head into the Valley Oak League with a perfect 3-0 record after waxing visiting Modesto.
Julia Tang blanked Sasha Ehrler from the No. 1 singles spot, and it was one of three 6-0, 6-0 wins for Manteca. No. 5 Kerren Zou also won in a shutout, as did No. 1 doubles Isabella Huerta and Melissa Poncini
No. 3 singles Makenna Condit staved off Milla Skowron 6-3, 7-5 in the most competitive match of the day. Other winners for Manteca: No. 2 Sahiba Kaur (6-0, 6-1), No. 4 Navina Mann (6-2, 6-1), No. 6 Yanki Ma (6-0, 6-1), No. 2 doubles Noeli Mercado/Danielle Diaz (6-0, 6-1) and No. 3 doubles Amorina Tse/Kalissa Martin (6-1, 6-4).
GOLF
Bret Harte 205, Ripon 207
ANGELS CAMP — Jessie Thompson shot a 43 and was the difference in the two-stroke win for Bret Harte at Greenhorn Creek Resort on Monday. It was the Valley Foothill League opener for both teams.
Kassidy Isham led the Indians with a 50. Bianca Toledo added a 51, freshman Zoe Bremer a 52 and Myra Toledo a 54.
Ripon 194, Linden 248
STOCKTON — The Indians (1-1) rebounded from their VFL-opening defeat with Thursday’s victory at Elkhorn Golf Club.
Bremer was low medalist with a 42. Bianca Toledo and Isham each carded a 48, and Myra Toledo rounded out scoring with a 56.
JV football
East Union 21, Downey 14
MODESTO — East Union broke a 14-14 halftime tie with a 34-yard pass in the third quarter from Jesus Gomez to Rylan Toves in the Lancers’ season opener last Friday, Aug. 17.
Gomez (5 of 7 passing, 88 yards; five carries, 67 yards) had an earlier touchdown pass of 20 yards to Jorge Vasquez. Anthony Corrales got East Union on the board in the first quarter with a 1-yard run.
Tyler Diaz had six carries for 61 yards for the Lancers and Toves had three receptions for 47 yards.
Lane Cefalu led East Union with 11 tackles. Jonathan Castenada added 10 stops with Nevin Gonzalez (five tackles), Zelmar Veddar and Toves each getting an interception.
JV volleyball
Lathrop 2, Lodi 1
LATHROP — The Spartans (1-2) squeaked it out 17-25, 25-22, 15-8 for their first win.
Sydney Hanks hammered seven kills to lead the attack. Ke’Mya Barnett fired five kills. Setter Hailey Hunter handed out 13 assists to go with 11 digs. Desiree Ambatali contributed 20 digs.
Manteca 2, Chavez 0
STOCKTON — Kim Yu racked up 14 service points and four kills as Manteca rolled 25-8, 25-14 to even its nonleague record to 1-1.
Kyaira Jacobs finished with 10 service points and three kills. Hannah Ender added a pair of kills.
Frosh volleyball
Lodi 2, Lathrop 0
LATHROP — Lodi coasted to a 25-9, 25-8 victory.
Lylliana Avila and Thracylie Acoba were standout players for Lathrop.
Youth football
Jr. T’wolves 40, Cowboys 6
Brody Carabello led the Jr. Timberwolves starts team with three touchdowns.
Carabello had carries for 70 yards with two touchdowns and 65 yards passing with one touchdown. Leiland Riggelman had 101yards on five carries with one touchdown. Kendall Sweet-Mallory pulled in one reception for a 65-yard touchdown and five carries for 56 yards and Elijah Pugh had three carries for 61 yards and a touchdown.
Alex Espinoza led the Jr. Timberwolves with seven tackles. Pugh and Sweet-Mallory both had an interception.
