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STILL WORK TO BE DONE FOR EU
Lancers one win from outright VOL title
Ricky-Peloso-file-2
East Union’s Ricky Peolos will try and help his team bring home the outright VOL championship when they meet up with Sierra Thursday. - photo by JONAMAR JACINTO
After hauling in at least a portion of the 2011 Valley Oak League championship with a 5-0 win over the Lathrop Spartans Tuesday, the East Union tennis players simply stuck around for some extra work. The Lancers will have to stop the Sierra Timberwolves Thursday for the outright crown, and that will be the only thing to get the group a taste of satisfaction.

East Union (12-1) will have to stop a Sierra team that poses a legitimate threat to the Lancers’ hopes, making the season-ending match with the Timberwolves more meaningful.

“We clinched a tie today, but to us that is not an outright championship,” Lancer head coach Ron Bylow said. “We feel like we have to earn it. Manteca has Weston Ranch and they have Sonora, so if they play up to their potential they should win. That means we’ll have to win against Sierra to get it outright.

“So for right now, there is no celebrating yet.”

East Union did not look to have lost focus with the Spartans, looking the part of a VOL champion with a one-sided win over Lathrop. The Lancers rolled off perfect 6-0 wins in all but one of their matches, taking the No. 1 doubles with a 6-2, 6-0 win with Chris Garcia and Matt Eichsteadt.

Raymund Martinez teamed up with Marcos Aleman for a clean straight sets win, while Ricky Peloso, Brandon Manville and Ariel Rosette all rolled to easy wins in singles play.

Sierra will definitely be focused on stopping the Lancers expectant feat, giving both clubs monumental motivation to close out the VOL season with.

“I’ve told the kids that sharing a championship is like kissing your cousin,” Bylow said. “Of course you want to win in outright and you don’t want to back into a championship with the other team losing.

“We are basically just keeping our eyes on the prize.”

Manteca 3, Weston Ranch 2

In a match that saw the action remain close throughout, Manteca was able to pull out the one-point win during VOL play Tuesday.

It came down to the double play for the Buffaloes, and Max Angelo and Oral Nunis continued to do what they have done all season, winning 6-2, 6-4. Marcos Munoz and Sam Dhaliwal edged out Weston Ranch’s Cari Legaspi and Raymond Legoc 6-3, 6-2.

The Cougars were able to outlast Manteca in singles matches, getting wins from Michael Tongpolad 6-2, 6-1 and Serbinder Singh 6-3, 6-2.

The Buffaloes will close out the season against Sonora, needing a win against the Wildcats and a loss from the first-place Lancers in their match against Sierra.

Sierra 4, Sonora 1

The Timberwolves had no problem being rude hosts to the Sonora Wildcats, stopping the visiting VOL club 4-1 at Manteca Tennis Center Tuesday.

No. 1 singles player Kevin Rausa pulled out a 7-5, 2-6, 7-5 win and No. 2 Forrest Tolman won in straight sets, 6-2, 7-5. Greg Blockinger beat ben Bates 6-1, 6-2.

No. 1 double standem of Josh Weiland and Joel Boling got a hard fought 6-4, 6-7(2-7), 6-4 win for the difference.

Sierra will look to play the role of spoiler, hosting the East Union Lancers Thursday in a match that will decide the VOL championship.



Southern League

Ripon Christian 8, Waterford 1

The Knights improved on their impressive Southern League debut; downing the Waterford Eagles 8-1 for their 10th win of the league season.

Ripon Christian (10-2 SL) got wins in singles play from Alex Blankers (6-1, 6-3), Jacob Meeuwse (6-1, 6-1), Hailey Veilleux (6-0, 6-1) and doubles victories from Katie Donoho-Kristi Van Diver (6-2,6-2), Ciara Brooks-Clara Lien (6-3, 6-1) and Daniel McGill-Devanee Quaresma won by forfeit.