Libero Nicole Ayala accumulated 17 digs, 23 service points and six aces on Thursday, helping Manteca get back on the winning track with its 25-23, 16-25, 25-20, 25-10 victory at Kimball.

The Buffaloes (6-4) won the Valley Oak League opener after dropping their previous two. It doesn’t get easier in what may be an open race to the championship, as they host Oakdale and reigning titlist Sierra next week.

Izabella Sanchez aided the cause with 12 kills and two blocks. Michaela Singh posted 13 kills and six digs. Genesis Mailangi contributed five kills and two blocks.

Central Catholic 3, East Union 0

The Lancers (0-1 VOL 11-9 overall) had a rough go in Modesto, falling in three, 11-25, 9-25, 20-25.

Jatziry Garcia was busy in the back row, finishing with 21 digs. She also had three kills. Isabell Rodriguez added 17 digs. Mariela Navarro (three blocks) and Katelyn Trevino (block) contributed four kills apiece.

Lathrop 3, Grace Davis 0

The Spartans (3-1, 7-2 overall) rebounded from their first Western Athletic Conference loss with the 25-5, 25-19, 25-20 win.

Janessa Ward totaled 16 kills, while Elizabeth Andrade had nine to go with nine aces. Julia Roaquin accumulated 22 assists, and Justine Mabutas tallied nine digs and four assists.

Junior varsity

Manteca 2, Kimball 0

Amaya Zavala delivered 10 assists while firing seven aces, as the Buffs rolled to a 25-17, 25-9 sweep.

Peyton McDonald (six kills, three digs) and Talia Shelbourne (four kills, two aces, block) anchored the front row. Kamiyah Johnson contributed seven digs.

Central Catholic 2, East Union 0

East Union came out on the wrong end of a competitive 25-27, 22-25 match.

Bailey Ford, Shebra Rezaye (eight service points) and Joceyln Gonzalez (seven points, two aces) swatted three kills each. Jill Ramirez registered five assists, three digs and three aces.

Lathrop 2, Grace Davis 0

Alyana Vere served eight aces to lead Lathrop’s 25-10, 25-19 triumph. She also finished with three kills and two digs.

Ada Morales added three kills and three aces. Alyssa Roller turned in 11 asissts, three digs and two aces. Tatiana Lopez paced the back row with eight digs.

Freshman

Manteca 2, Kimball 1

The Buffaloes held on for the 27-29, 25-19, 15-13 road win.

Maylea Sims led them with 13 assists and four aces. Na’ima Calderon clobbered 10 kills and two aces. Bella Diaz chipped in seven kills, and Chloe Martin collected nine digs.

Central Catholic 2, East Union 1

East Union was dealt a 25-19, 13-25, 10-15 defeat in Modesto.

Andi Guibor racked up 13 service points, four of which went for aces. Addy Soulier contributed 11 service points and three aces to go with six digs. Jocelyn Pena and Kennedy McLeod each had two kills.

Lathrop 2, Grace Davis 0

The Spartans raced away with the 25-19, 25-9 sweep.

Taylor Johnwell and Tamia Simmons anchored the defense with four blocks and five digs, respectively. Erin Chunn contributed four aces, two kills, three digs and three aces.