LATHROP — Lathrop has two more chances before the start of Valley Oak League play to get the first win under first-year coach Heather Anderson, but she’s more concerned about her team’s continued improvement.
The Spartans showed once again they can be competitive in a four-set loss (22-25, 25-21, 21-25, 16-25) to visiting Modesto, one of three unbeaten Division I clubs they’ll face on consecutive nights this week.
“I like to see the progress because we’re playing tougher teams and we’re competitive,” Anderson said. “The girls are still not able to finish sets. They’re playing well, but the honest truth is we’re still learning to win. Our record doesn’t show that we’re actually in close matches.”
Lathrop (0-4) had notable all-around efforts from setter/outside hitter Fasha Hayes (five kills, eight assists, 15 digs) and Malia Akers (four kills, seven aces, five blocks). Myani Thornton added four kills, Juliana Denning had five blocks and libero Brittany Johnson picked up 15 digs.
Lathrop is on the road for the remainder of its nonleague schedule, as it heads to Lincoln and Chavez the next two nights.
Manteca 3, Waterford 0
WATERFORD — The Buffaloes (3-0) had little trouble dispatching Waterford, 25-18, 25-17, 25-8.
All of Manteca’s front-row players contributed at least one kill. Rhiannon Genilla led the way with seven to go with eight digs. Destanie Elliot (six kills, two blocks), Kacy Bolding (six kills, nine digs, nine assists) and Payton Reis (five kills) also keyed the balanced attack.
Kaitlyn Morenzone recorded 15 assists, eight digs and five aces. Tawny Deerinck chipped in seven digs.

Sierra 3, Summerville 1
The Timberwolves (2-2) avoided a fifth set, coming back to prevail, 17-25, 25-19, 25-19, 29-27.
Vanessa Benham racked up five kills and four blocks and was effective at the service line. Lindsey Walljasper contributed three kills and three blocks. Emma Brierly set 12 assists.

Weston Ranch 3, Stagg 0
STOCKTON — First-year head coach Eddie Menzel picked up his first win Tuesday at Stagg.
Amaya Finley paced the Cougars (1-2) with 10 kills and seven digs. Nichole Bigornia handed out 11 assists. Kiran Kaur chimed in with seven digs.
“Girls did a great job tonight of creating their own energy and taking care of the serve,” Menzel said.

Lincoln 3,
Ripon Christian 0
STOCKTON — The Knights (5-3) could not get untracked against one of the top Division I programs in the region, losing, 18-25, 8-25, 9-25.
Carly Eastham led Ripon Christian with seven kills, two aces and six digs. Makenzie Miller had three kills and a block. Elizabeth Weststeyn contributed 11 assists and nine digs. 
“I think that they did a really good job recognizing where our weaknesses were they capitalized on it,” Ripon Christian coach Jocelyn Benziger said. “Once they broke down our serve receive it was a difficult task for us to make an aggressive play back at them.”

Freshman
Summerville 2, Sierra 1
After squeaking out the first set, Sierra was unable to keep momentum in a 28-26, 14-25, 11-15 defeat.
Stella Brierly, Felicia LaQuaglia and Kayla Riley were standouts for Sierra.