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VOLLEYBALL: Buffs rise to the occasion
Manteca ends on 13-2 comeback run to finish EU in four games
Bulletin girls volleyball 2019
Manteca’s Kaylee MacDannald blasts her spike over the East Union block of Miekayla Surnip (5) and Melissa Scogna. - photo by Photo by WAYNE THALLANDER

Manteca’s young team grew up a little more Thursday in its comeback win at Dalben Center.
The Valley Oak League match appeared to be on its way to a fifth set with host East Union building an 18-12 lead in the fourth. Led by Adrianna Powell and Karlie Spohn, two of five sophomores for Manteca, the Buffaloes went on a 13-2 run for a 19-25, 25-17, 25-18, 25-20 final.
“Every night out is just more experience for us,” Manteca coach Kevin Bolding said. “It’s just huge being in that type of environment and keeping our composure. We didn’t let one play define us or get us down.
“I told them to not play the scoreboard, just play your game. I wanted to be more relaxed and it kind of worked out that way.”
Bolding called timeout with the score at 17-12, and the Buffaloes handed East Union (2-4 VOL, 7-5 overall) another point with a hitting error.
Manteca (3-2, 7-4) took over from there, starting with Kaylee MacDannald’s scoring dink. That set off a flurry of five unanswered points that included the match’s best rally punctuated by a kill from Powell.
“It kept the momentum going and we got more hyped,” she said. “Everybody’s energy was up. It felt really good to win.”
Powell got down another kill for a 22-20 Manteca lead, finishing with five kills, three blocks and 18 digs. Spohn (10 kills, seven blocks) also keyed the late onslaught, coming through for two kills and a pair of blocks on East Union standout Savannah LeBarre (24 kills, eight digs, four blocks). The match ended on an unforced hitting error,
“She’s a great player, no doubt about it,” Bolding said of LeBarre. You try your best to limit her touches, but she’ll find a way. We were able to make a couple adjustments that started working for us.”
Camrenne Genilla (13 kills), Therese Ferral (47 assists), Abbey Kadillak (21 digs, four aces) and Olga Perez (21 digs) also contributed to Manteca’s win.
Miekayla Surnip racked up nine kills, 14 assists, 10 digs and two blocks for East Union. Danielle James added 21 assists and 10 digs. Melissa Scogna recorded three kills and 11 blocks.
Coach Chelsea Herrera said the match was also a learning experience for her Lancers, who was in control for much of the opening set but could not sustain their play.
“We let up,” Herrera said. “Our passing was way better in the first game, our serve receive was great. Manteca is a very well-rounded team and they play smart, but it’s the little mistakes that hurt us.
“We’re young and don’t have a lot of girls who play club all year round. The pressure may have gotten to them a little bit but they’re growing and this is good for them. They’ll get better from this.”

Junior varsity
Manteca 2, East Union 0

The Buffaloes (5-0, 11-0) remain perfect on the season following their 25-12, 25-20 victory.
Kim Yu led the way with three kills, 11 service points and six aces. Leilani Rios and Courtney Washburn hammered five and four kills, respectively. Ayanna Van Staaveren and Arian Lowery registered 10 digs apiece, while Arielle Chandler dished out 13 assists.
Celeste Guerrero paced East Union with five assists, two kills and two digs. Elizabeth Lopez contributed four kills, while Kaitlyn Reyes had three digs.

Freshman
Manteca 2, East Union 0

Manteca prevailed 28-26, 25-14 behind Jessica Almeida’s 10 assists, 12 service points and four aces.
Rayana Ladd (five kills, five digs), Jill Santos (six kills, five digs), Kat Rodriguez (six digs, five points) and Shylea Hollins (three kills, two blocks) were among the Buffaloes’ top contributors.
Elizabeth Johnson tallied two kills for the Lancers.