With its first Trans-Valley League championship in sight, Ripon wants to remain sharp while entering the final stretch of regular-season matches.

On Tuesday, the Indians wrapped up the first half of the TVL schedule with an hour-long 25-9, 25-16, 25-14 sweep of visiting Escalon.

The two schools are longtime rivals, but this was their first boys volleyball meeting, as the Cougars (2-2 TVL, 5-7 overall) are in the middle of their inaugural campaign in the sport.

First-place Ripon (4-0, 17-7) is coming off back-to-back postseason appearances, but the bar is set higher for the five seniors

“Coming in, we did not want to underestimate them, so we took it serious,” senior setter Anthony Gomez said. “It’s been super exciting. We’ve been making history these past four years. Sophomore year, we were the first to go to playoffs and now we have a chance to get that first TVL (title).”

Gomez contributed seven assists and six digs. Martin Raygoza, the Indians’ other senior setter, compiled 16 assists, 10 digs, 12 service points and three aces.

Sophomores Alex Alvarellos (14 kills, two blocks) and Trent Olmo (nine kills, two blocks) powered the front line. Marquell Marshall led the back line with 18 digs.

Ripon’s attack was supplemented by effective serving, totaling 21 aces. Cade Fullmer strung together an eight-point service run early in the second set, getting all four of his aces in the process. Armondo Ayon contributed two kills, while Alvarellos and Olmo had one each had one during that stretch. A hitting error ended the rally, but the Indians were well ahead, 12-4.

Fullmer also finished with six blocks. Leonardo Barrera added eight service points, five of which went for aces.

Escalon showed life at the end of game 2. Trailing 23-7, the Cougars mounted a 9-1 run before Drake Krippene finally put it away for Ripon with a spike.

“We were just mixing some things up in the second game,” Gomez said.

Escalon carried the momentum into the third set and took its first lead of the match, as Preston Berhorst came up with a block to make it 3-1.

Alvarellos restored order for the Indians with a solo block and a kill to push them ahead, 5-3.

Ripon next travels to Hilmar on Thursday but will then host reigning Valley Oak League co-champion Sierra the following night.

“Our biggest thing is making sure they know their worth and that they can beat these bigger teams,” Ripon coach Tara Maruyama said. “Moving into the end of the season, we have six games left, so I’m hoping these seniors play to the top of their abilities.”

Junior varsity

Ripon 2, Escalon 0

The Indians cruised to the 25-8, 25-13 win.

Josiah Aflleje led them with 12 assists, four digs, three blocks and four aces. Jesse Healy added six kills and five aces. Gavin Garner chipped in with five kills. Jacob Dood delivered 13 digs and three aces.