After getting handled in the first two games Tuesday night, Weston Ranch battled back to force eight ties and three lead changes but still lost in the third as host East Union held on for a 25-7, 25-11, 25-20 win in Valley Oak League action at Dalben Center.
“I think our libero Jennie Tern brought a lot of good things to us in that third game,” Weston Ranch coach Eddie Menzel said. “She came in and sparked us to give us a little bit of energy that we were completely lacking in the first two games.”
Senecia Patton had five blocks and two aces for the Cougars (1-7 VOL, 11-9 overall).
“Defensively, I don’t think there is anyone better than Senecia,” Menzel said. “She is pretty good.
“She defends side-to-side and she blocks and defends all three spots.”
Unfortunately for Weston Ranch, Patton couldn’t be everywhere all the time — that would be Savannah Lebarre of the Lancers (4-5, 8-9). The hard-hitting sophomore had nine kills, seven digs, four aces and a block.
In the first set had a seven-point run which she started with a kill.
“I really focus when I am serving,” Lebarre said. “And I try and be prepared for any ball that will be set to me. I always want to be ready.”
Later in that first set Jaidyn Valencia (four kills, two digs, three aces, block) hammered out and 11-point run when she had all three of her aces.
“It can be challenging not to let up,” Valencia said. “We had to play our best to not let them catch up.”
East Union had a balanced attack with Miekayla Surnip getting seven kills, three blocks and two aces; Kiana Day added six blocks and two digs and Baylee Spencer had four kills, a block and a dig.
Setter Alexus Surnip (19 assists, four aces) chipped in a pair of kills.
“Everyone got to play,” Lancers coach Chelsea Herrera said. “It’s always a good night when everyone gets to play and contribute to the win.
“We tried a few things tonight. We had a setter (Alexis Surnip) that got to hit and she always likes to swing.”
Julianna Lassiter (two aces) and Adriana Martinez had three kills each for Weston Ranch and Tern added two kills.
 
Junior Varsity
East Union 2, Weston Ranch 0
Emma Valdez got an ace for the Lancers to end the match as East Union posted wins of 25-16, 25-22.
Valdez led the Lancers with 11 service points, five aces and three digs. Julieanna Padilla added seven kills and an ace; Nicole Blair hit six service points, four kills and three aces; Danielle James dished out six assists along with three service points and two aces; Alejandra Rodriguez tallied five service points, five assists, four aces and a kill; Leilani Viloria had two kills and a block; Alivia Gordon had two aces and a kill and Amalia Lopez had four digs. 
 
Freshman
Weston Ranch 2, East Union 0
The Lancers made a game of it in the second set but the Cougars escaped with a 25-18, 25-22 win.
Kaitlyn Reyes had six aces and three assists for East Union. Elizabeth Lopez added three kills, two aces and three assists followed by Thania Valencia (three aces), Alyssa Clapp (two aces), Jenessa Godoy (two aces), Samantha Sena (kill) and Cynthia Gonzalez (kill).