Manteca’s girls tennis team ended the first round of Valley Oak League play  with a pivotal 5-4 win at Oakdale despite missing two regular doubles players Tuesday.

The victory keeps the defending champion Buffaloes (6-1) in contention for the title as it takes on first place Central Catholic at home Tuesday.

Manteca had to shuffle its doubles teams with players from the No. 1 and 2 tandems out. Oakdale ended up sweeping all three doubles matches. No matter.

“Our singles players really came through for us today when we needed it,” Manteca coach MaryAnn Tolbert said. “They all played extremely well.”

Manteca got 6-0, 6-0 wins from No. 5 and 6 players, Fechi Nkwocha and Katie Inderbitzin. Nkwocha remains undefeated in VOL play.

Allison Rachels held off Rachelle Pabalin 7-5, 6-3 in the No. 4 match. Sealy McAdams (6-1, 6-3) and Julia Saling (6-2, 6-4) also swept. Elizabeth Tolbert dropped a 7-6, 2-6, 6-10 decision to Oakdale’s top player, Christine Kim.

“Elizabeth is coming on strong playing very tough competition at the No. 1 spot and improving every match against the best players in the league,” coach Tolbert said.



Sierra 5, Kimball 4

In Tracy, No. 1 singles player Annie Banks came back to knock off Kylie Moxley 2-6, 6-3, 6-1 to help the Timberwolves (4-3) go into the second half of league with a winning record.

Simran Thind (6-4, 6-3) and Claire Banks (6-0, 6-2) also picked up straight-set victories. Shelby Owensby and Katarina Malabanan won 6-4, 6-3 at No. 1 doubles, and the No. 2 duo of Monique Angel and Carly Cunial prevailed, 7-6 (7-2), 6-3. Kimball picked up two hard-earned points with three-set wins at No. 5 and 6 singles.



Weston Ranch 7,
 Lathrop 2

In Stockton, Weston Ranch (1-6) made its first notch in the win column.

The Cougars claimed five out of the six singles matches, with wins coming from Kazoua Vang (6-2, 6-2), Preet Kaur (6-3, 6-2), Jennifer Contreras (6-1, 7-5), Teresa Haley (6-3, 6-0) and Chyanne Sysoyphanh (6-2, 6-3). Deja Andrades topped Yesenia Reynoso 6-4, 7-5 for Lathrop’s only singles win.

Weston Ranch’s No. 2 and 3 doubles teams — Jaskirat Kaur/Alyssa Ryan (6-4, 6-2) and Rubi Sanchez/Rashmeet Toger (6-1, 6-0) — both swept. Lathrop’s Kim Victoria and Trisha Garlit triumphed in the No. 1 match, 4-6, 6-5, 7-5.



Central Catholic 8,
East Union 1

Matharin Lee and Natalie Karim claimed the No. 3 doubles match 6-2, 6-1 for the host Lancers’ lone point.

East Union had opportunities to earn more but dropped three-set matches. Alexis Phillips hung tough with Marissa Lopez but fell short 3-6, 6-3, 8-10 in the No. 6 singles match. At No. 2 doubles, Tabatha Barrington and Vanessa Hamilton were defeated 4-6, 6-4, 6-10.