Lathrop’s girls volleyball team faced a fellow Manteca Unified school for a third straight night on Wednesday, and this time the Spartans pulled out a hard-earned 21-25, 25-20, 17-25, 25-19, 15-13 non-league victory over visiting East Union.

Earlier this week, they dropped a competitive sweep to Sierra in a Foundation Game and lost to Manteca in four sets.

Elizabeth Andrade led Lathrop (2-1) with 21 kills, 15 digs, five aces and two blocks. Janessa Ward contributed with 11 kills and seven digs. ZaRyah Mageo added five kills, three blocks and four digs. Annie Millan dished out 32 assists, and Justine Mabutas collected 18 digs.

East Union (2-2) had a chance to put it away in four games with an 18-15 lead but was done in by unforced efforts.

“We just need to find a way to finish,” EU coach Michelle Sims said. “In the key moments, it’s the small things that make the difference in those games. We will take this as a learning lesson and keep working hard and keep building on it.”

Her team was led by the all-around play of Meritiana Luani (21 digs, four kills, four aces) and Jatziry Garcia (six kills, 20 digs, three aces).

Gisele Velazquez contributed with 12 digs and six kills. Mariela Navarro paced the front row with seven kills and seven blocks. Setter Marcella Carranza registered 12 assists and four aces.  

Junior varsity

Lathrop 2, East Union 1

The Lancers dropped a 25-22, 14-25, 12-15 decision.

They were paced by Bailey Ford’s five kills, two blocks and two aces. Gwen Baker and Jill Ramirez tallied eight and six digs, respectively. Lilly Grove added four kills and three aces.

Ada Morales turned in five kills, two aces and two digs for Lathrop. Alyana Vere pitched in four kills and six digs.

Freshman

East Union 2, Lathrop 1

Kaylie Braun served up 12 aces to go with five assists, as the Lancers snuck out with a 25-16, 13-25, 16-14 win.

Andi Guibor chipped in with three aces, Addyson Soulier had two kills and Jocelyn Pena fired two kills and two aces. Jenna Holdren led the defense with three digs.

Lathrop was paced by Taylor Rios’ three kills, five aces and a block. Tamia Simmons racked up 15 digs, Erin Chunn had six assists and four digs and Taylor Johnwell contributed three kills.