RIPON — Third-seeded Ripon High closed its Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV playoffs first-round sweep of No. 14 Marysville with its most dominating game, doing so with its best player resting on the bench.
Sonoma State-bound Ashley Robinson watched her teammates cruise 25-6 in Game 3 after helping them take the first two 25-12, 25-9.
Ripon improved to 36-9 with a few key players battling a variety of ailments.
Robinson is recovering from an illness, defensive specialist Paulina Ceja (separated shoulder) played only the third game and outside hitter Coryn Hernandez (sprained wrist) participated in her second straight match after missing most of the Trans Valley League season.
Coach Larry Keethe said the three will be limited in practice today in preparation for Ripon’s second-round match and was glad to see his team dominate in every aspect Tuesday no matter who was playing.
Ripon simply had too much experience, depth and firepower for outgunned Marysville (11-13), which has just two seniors on the roster, to match. Ripon may have been hobbled, but Marysville couldn’t tell.
“We played well. They did not play down to the level of competition, and we have a habit of doing that,” said Keethe, who is looking to guide Ripon to its fourth straight section title match after dropping the previous three to Sacramento-based Christian Brothers.
The mismatch was evident from the start of each game, as Ripon took leads of 15-5, 16-5 and 17-4.
Cheyann DePrue was unstoppable at the net. She churned out 14 kills to lead all players, with Lauren Feddersen and Robinson contributing six each. Feddersen was also tough from the service line, where she produced nine aces.
Hernandez led the team with three blocks and three kills and did most of her damage in the second game. Setter Kelsey Johnston had 21 assists, and Kallie Jacobs had four.
Ripon will host either No. 6 Orestimba (24-6) or No. 11 Colfax (12-7) on Thursday. Regardless of which team prevailed Tuesday, Keethe expects it to be more challenging moving forward.
“They’ll be much tougher, and that should be a match,” Keethe said. “But if we play this well against them we should win.”
To contact Jonamar Jacinto, e-mail jjacinto@mantecabulletin.com, or call (209) 249-3538.
