RIPON — Ripon Christian recaptured the Southern League crown, or at least a share of it, from the team that took it away last season.
The Knights capped the Southern League schedule Thursday with a 25-15, 25-15, 25-19 sweep of Orestimba and earned a co-championship with Le Grand.
“The entire team seemed to be on the same page from the start — work hard and work together,” RC coach Jocelyn Benziger said. “It was a great way to celebrate senior night and finish up league.”
Ripon Christian (13-1 SL, 19-10 overall) honored its six seniors Thursday. Outside hitter Mackenzie Miller was among them, and she racked up 10 kills, six digs and three aces. Fellow seniors Taylor Anema (five kills, three blocks), Renae Heida (four digs), Megan Bos (five aces) and Taylor Alger (10 assists) also keyed the win.
Freshman middle Emily Van Groningen added seven kills, Lauren Braga had five digs and four aces, and Morgan Van Elderen contributed nine assists and two blocks.
Manteca, Lathrop and Ripon will join the Knights in the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs. Brackets will be released today, and opening-round contests take place next Monday for Divisions I-IV and Tuesday for Divisions V and VI.
Manteca 3, Weston Ranch 0
Fourth-year seniors Kaitlyn Morenzone, Kacy Bolding and Payton Reis played their final regular-season match at Winter Gym and led the Buffaloes (10-2, 20-6 overall) to a 25-9, 25-17, 25-15 victory.
Manteca, the 2017 Valley Oak League champion, finished in second place and awaits its postseason assignment.
Morenzone (14 assists, 14 service points, five kills, four aces), Bolding (11 assists, six points, three aces, seven kills) and Reis (five kills) did their usual damage in the league finale. Abbey Kadillak (16 digs, seven points) and Emma Kadillak (10 digs, seven points, two aces) anchored the back row.
Isabella George (four points, three aces, two kills), Kaylee MacDannald (three kills, block) and Julia Moreno (three kills) were other key contributors.
Junior varsity
Ripon Christian 2, Orestimba 0
RIPON — The Knights coasted to a 25-14, 15-12 win in their season finale.
Samantha Anema led the charge with four service aces and three kills. Natasha Smith hammered four kills. Sarah Brown paced the defense with seven digs, while Brooke Andrews and Adrianna Arias each had a block.
Manteca 2, Weston Ranch 0
Adriana Powell paced the balanced Buffaloes with six kills in the 25-15, 25-14 victory.
Ari Chandler, Kim You and Katelyn Gross netted four kills apiece. Jessica Llavore served up 11 points to go with eight digs. Sydney Navarro chipped in three kills and eight assists.
Freshman
Manteca 2, Weston Ranch 1
Manteca (9-1, 19-1) warded off the visiting Cougars 25-18, 23-25, 15-11 to capture the VOL title.
Leilani Rios highlighted the Buffaloes with 10 kills and two aces. Ayana Staaveren tallied 11 assists and six kills. Ariana Lowery added 17 digs and four aces.
Caitlyn Wong (five kills, 10 digs), Alyson Schneider (seven kills, nine digs), Isabella Pires (18 assists) and Camrenne Genilla (eight kills) were other key contributors.
