Lathrop’s reward for advancing to the postseason for the first time in program history?
A trip to a traditional volleyball powerhouse.
The Spartans (14-7), who placed second in the Western Athletic Conference, are seeded 14th for the Sac-Joaquin Section Division III playoffs and head to Sacramento next Tuesday to square off with the Capital Athletic League champion Falcons (21-11). Christian Brothers in the No. 3 seed and a 10-time section champion.
Lathrop is the only local qualifier to start on the road. Also in Division III, Valley Oak League runner-up and Manteca (20-6), seeded seventh, plays host sophomore standout Olivia Keller and No. 10 Beyer (27-11), which outlasted Lathrop for the WAC crown.
Ripon (20-9) is seeded fifth in Division IV after its runner-up finish in the Trans-Valley League. The Indians take on No. 12 Orestimba (19-14).
Southern Athletic League co-champion Ripon Christian (19-10) was awarded an opening-round bye and the No. 2 seed in the 14-team Division V bracket. The Knights play No. 7 Vacaville Christian (17-10) or No. 10 ABLE Charter (11-6) next Thursday.
Start time for the first three rounds is 7 p.m. The title round is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 3 at a site yet to be determined.

SJS PLAYOFFS
First-round matches
DIVISION III
Beyer at Manteca
C. Bros. at Lathrop

DIVISION IV
Orestimba at Ripon

DIVISION V
Ripon Christian bye