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VOLLEYBALL: Lathrop sweeps Sierra, moves to 18-0
Bulletin boys volleyball 2019
Lathrop High’s Gabriel Gutierrez crushes a spike through the block of Sierra’s Cyrus Hunter (14) and Carson Hibbs (9) in non-league action Thursday. - photo by Photo By Sean Kahler

LATHROP — The Western Athletic Conference-leading Spartans chalked up another non-league victory on Thursday.
The still-perfect Lathrop High boys' volleyball team improved to 18-0 with the sweep over visiting Sierra, 25-8, 25-9, 25-17.
"We were aggressive on our serving," said Spartan coach Heather Anderson.
Her senior outside hitter Tyler Riggleman was deadly from the service line, delivering seven aces in the three games.
Sophomore setter Rael Carmesis and junior Ysrael Gutierrez both served three aces each.
The Timberwolves (6-8) showed plenty of fight early on, particularly in the first game.
"We knew coming in that this was going to be tough match," said Sierra coach Jane Schneider, who previously served as an assistant coach at Lathrop.
The Spartans took control behind Carmesis, who helped set up Riggleman, Gabriel Gutierrez, Ysrael Gutierrez and Jaden Vuong — each scored off of spikes during the 14-3 run, providing Lathrop with an 18-7 edge.
The Timberwolves also experience some communication problems on the court.
Riggleman closed out the first game with three aces while Gabriel Gutierrez did his part with two kills.
Gutierrez tallied 11 kills, an ace and displayed his defensive prowess with 19 digs.
The Spartans did much of the same in the second game, jumping out to an 18-3 advantage.
Carmesis, Riggleman and Vuong were once again aggressive on the service line.
Riggleman and Vuong finished things off with back-to-back kills.
The Timberwolves overcame an early deficit in the third game and held an 11-9 lead behind junior outside hitter Carson Hibbs, senior middle blocker Cyrus Hunter, and the serving of Justin Brasil, Austin Cook and Hunter.
Cook finished with two kills and two blocks during the three-game span. Hibbs also had two kills and two blocks while Hunter chipped with two blocks and Brandon Tan added two kills.
Schneider noted that playing Lathrop was a good learning experience for her team.
"There are things that we will take away from these games," she said.
The Spartans, meanwhile, overcame that rough stretch by answering back with a 14-2 rally.
Eric Ponce had a kill and a block during the run. Ysrael Gutierrez had the close-out kill, finishing with three kills and an assist in the match.
Riggleman, in addition, had 10 kills and eight digs while Carmesis finished with 26 assists and three digs.
Both clubs will compete in the Sierra Tournament on Saturday.