All eyes were on Manteca High’s Alex Barragan and Pejpal Virk after all of the other matches were completed.
The score at that point was 4-4.
Barragan was up 3-2 in the third and deciding set but began to feel the pressure, losing the next nine points to fall behind, 3-4.
But the sophomore steeled his nerves and played it out like a veteran, winning 5-7, 6-2, 6-4 in dramatic fashion as the host Buffaloes won 5-4 over Pleasant Grove of Elk Grove.
“Pulling this one out was pretty clutch, so it was definitely a good win,” Manteca coach Frank Fontana said. “(Barragan) was definitely nervous. I was worried, but he proved that he can compete and that’s what I wanted to see.”
Manteca (2-0) did most of its damage in singles action, with Yassen Aniss (6-4, 6-1), Gabe Lopez (6-0, 6-2) and Mark Leon (6-0, 6-4) recording victories.
No. 1 doubles partners Arnie Morales and Kyle Morton won, 6-4, 7-5.
The Buffaloes will next host Golden Valley of Merced Tuesday.
At Manteca Park Golf Course, Ripon’s Daniel Cardoza five-over-par 42 led Ripon in the non-league match, but it was Nick Mendonca’s 45 that sealed the deal for the Indians (2-1)
“Mendonca was the star,” Ripon coach Chris Musseman said. “We were losing the match until he came back with that last group.”
Matty Gay contributed a 49, Mark Bigelow shot a 50 and promising freshman Jake Ratto turned in a 51 in his first live match of the season.
The host Buffaloes (0-1) were paced by medalist Kenny Summers, who carded a 41. Daniel Chavez and Nick Gonzales also broke the 50-stroke barrier with a 46 and 49, respectively.
At Sierra, reigning Bulletin All-Area MVP Nicole Vanni recorded a hat trick to lead the unbeaten Timberwolves (2-0-1). Michaela Scott and Delaine Quaresma each chipped in a pair of goals and an assist; while freshman Joanna Ortiz added a goal and two assists.
Mariela Pimentel also had a goal, and Lacey Vaughn assisted two. Others contributing an assist each were Diana Alfaro, Stephanie Vanni and Rebecca Scott.
Moriah Fallon had one save in the first half, as she and Shawnee Justis combined for the clean sheet.
“We got into rhythm early, but a couple of their starters are still playing basketball,” Sierra coach Manuel Pires said. “But I like the way the team is stepping up and scoring this early in the season, but (today) we’ll have another good test.”
Sierra will head to San Francisco to square off with University High.
Megan Viduya won four events (200 free, 100 free, 200 free relay, 400 free relay) to spearhead host the Sierra girls team’s blowout victory that kick starts the Timberwolves non-league schedule.
Niki DeGeorge was in three first-place finishes (100 fly, 100 back, 400 free relay). Madlon Andermahr (50 free) and Ariel Moreno (500 free) claimed their individual events.
The boys were highlighted by James Thomas’ three victories (200 medley relay, 50 free, 100 free). Other individual-event winners include Michael Yoon (100 back) and Zach Holmstrom (100 breast).
Cecelia Lopez threw a complete game and struck out six to lead Lathrop. Alayna Ascuncion finished 2 for 4 with two doubles and a pair of RBIs. Jocelyn Castro added a two-run double of her own.