After gutsy play by Manteca forced a fourth match game Wednesday night, two-time defending Valley Oak League champ showed they have not lost much from last year’s undefeated league campaign by notching 11 aces in the fourth and final game of a 25-17, 15-15, 18-25, 25-18 VOL win at Winter Gym.
Manteca (1-1 VOL, 4-2 overall) had four of its seven service errors in the final game.
“We served way too many into the net.” Buffaloes coach Kevin Bolding said. “We just didn’t pass well. Our passing defense just wasn’t there; at least it was not good enough for them.
“They are a good team, a good serving team, but we just didn’t step up at the right time. Hopefully we will learn from that and move on.”
The third set had 10 ties and three lead changes, with Manteca ending the 25-18 win on 9-2 run closed out by a Payton Reis kill followed by Kaitlyn Morenzone ace. Also during that spurt, Destanie Elliott had two kills and Carly Morrish one.
The most powerful set for the Mustangs (2-0, 4-2) was the 25-15 second when they got 15 kills.
“We focus on the all-around game,” Oakdale coach Heather Gonzales said. “You have to take care of every aspect of the game – not just hitting – and I think we have done a really good job this year as far as defense. That has been huge.
“In years past we have always had a lot more power than we do this year. We lost a lot of good seniors from last year, but I think we are holding our own.”
Reis had eight kills and three aces to pace Manteca. Rhiannon Genilla added seven kills, five digs and two aces; Morenzone had five kills, 11 assists and five digs; Kacy Bolding dished out 14 assists along with five blocks and two kills; Tawny Deerinck added six digs, four aces and two kills and Elliott hammered out four kills.
Sophomore
Oakdale 2, Manteca 0
Outside hitters Abby Arias and Sam Cerritos performed well for the Buffaloes in the 12-25, 13-25 loss.
Emma Kadillak did well setting for Manteca.
Freshman
Manteca 2, Oakdale 1
After winning the first set 25-23, the Buffaloes fell behind 1-10 in the second before battling back only to lose 26-28. Manteca came back to win the third game 15-12.
Ayva Savoy, Olga Perez and Raelene Finley had two aces apiece for the Buffaloes. Finley and Nevaeh Keliinoi both had two kills and Jayda Jackson made five assists.
