Lathrop was looking forward to its cross-town visit to River Islands on Thursday, and it wasn’t just to take in its new rival’s impressive gym facility.
The Spartans exacted revenge with a 25-16, 25-21, 25-17 sweep in the girls volleyball rendition of the “Battle of the Bridge.”
Last season, in the all-time series opener, the then second-year varsity Riptide stunned the perennial Western Athletic Conference contenders in a five-set thriller.
“They reverse swept us at our place, so we were looking forward to coming here,” Lathrop coach Toa Fa’ali’i said. “This is a nice gym, the crowd was crazy and it was good volleyball.”
Lathrop (5-3) fed off the lively crowd and was able to build wide leads early in every set.
Siliana Fa’ataualofa paced the Spartans with eight kills, seven aces and six digs. Erin Chunn had nine kills, to go with three digs and two aces. River Islands, at times, had no answer for rangy middle blocker Breanna Wiseman, who contributed seven kills.
Sariah Hilton amassed 23 assists, four digs and three aces. Jadore Dixon had 23 digs.
“We’re all close friends, because we play club,” Chunn said the friendly relationship between the two teams. “It was fun to be a part of, it was great. I loved their crowd, I loved our crowd, I loved how many people came out for this. Battle of the Bridge, and all that.”
River Islands (1-7) has struggled to get untracked this season, in part because of injuries and illnesses. The Riptide has also played a tough schedule against larger-school opponents, while not yet having competed with its full complement of players.
Top returner Ada Morales played her first match of the season on Thursday, though she continues to be limited by a nagging knee injury. While she’s back in the fold, defensive specialist Evelyn Lagat is out with sickness.
“Girls have had to step up, and they’re learning,” River Islands coach Rhiannon Genilla said. “These matches increase our strength of schedule, and even though it doesn’t feel good to not get the results, they’re still showing what they’re capable of.”
Sophomore newcomer Leighann Ruiz continues to be a bright spot for the Riptide. She had a team-high nine kills and 12 digs, while Niamae Devera chipped in with six kills and six digs. Corley Simoni collected 20 digs while orchestrating the River Islands attack from the setter spot. Morales had two kills in her season debut.
River Islands will look to rebound next Tuesday at home against West, while Lathrop travels to Calaveras tonight.
Junior varsity
River Islands 2, Lathrop 1
The Riptide ground out a 25-22, 21-25, 15-12 comeback victory.
Elsa Dasalla led Lathrop with six kills, five aces, two solo blocks and three digs. Cassidy Fa’ali’i added 10 assists, two aces and three digs. Zakia Booker pitched in with three aces and three digs.
Novice
Lathrop 2, River Islands 0
Lathrop held on for the 26-24, 25-19 win, getting six kills and a solo block from Kyla Swan.
Teonna Finney fired four kills, while Jessica Reff handed out six assists.
