Manteca ended its busy week 3 for 3 with its four-game victory over visiting Kimball on Thursday.

Playing their third match in four days, the Buffaloes finished with a bang — 25-21, 15-25, 25-20, 25-12 — and are alone in second place in the Valley Oak League. Only the top three teams qualify for the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs. Manteca seeks its first appearance since 2011 and first under third-year coach Kevin Bolding. 

“I told the girls this was one of the biggest weeks we’ve had for volleyball at Manteca High. This is huge for us,” Bolding said. “Everybody contributed and everybody played great.

For Manteca to make the postseason, Kimball, which qualified the past three years, was one of the teams it had to contend with. The Buffs (6-2 VOL, 8-5 overall) were anchored by their trio freshmen — outside hitter Payton Reis (14 kills) and setters Kacy Bolding (12 assists, eight kills) and Kaitlyn Morenzone (19 assists, 12 service points, three kills) — but had key efforts from several others.

Morgan Miramontes chipped in six kills, while Tawny Deerinck and Taylor Bays came up big in the final two games. Jasmine Basuil and Alison Hoyer also sparked the team off the bench in the pivotal third set when it trailed 14-11.

“Kimball is a good team and they’ve beaten some people,” coach Bolding said. “Fortunately, we started out pretty good and finished strong. They’re a good hitting team but we played really good defense. That was probably the biggest thing for us.”

It doesn’t get easier for Manteca in the coming weeks. Next Tuesday the Buffaloes head to East Union for their only match of the week, and after that defending champion Oakdale visits Winter Gymnasium.

East Union 3, Sierra 0

At Dalben Center, host East Union (4-3, 8-6) dominated en route to a 25-13, 25-18, 25-7 sweep.

Melissa King spearheaded a balanced offensive effort with seven kills and 13 assists. Alissa Burrola followed with five kills and 10 service points. Mariah Jeffrey had three blocks to go with four kills. Haley England hammered three kills and scored nine service points including an ace.

“We came out ready to play tonight and were focused,” East Union coach Rich Posz said. “The girls played a complete match and we are working on keeping up with the league leading teams.”

Lindsey Walljasper finished with four kills, while Megan Westfall had seven assists for Sierra (0-7, 3-12).

Sophomore

Sierra 2, East Union 1

The Timberwolves sprinted away with the victory after two competitive sets, winning 25-23, 22-25, 15-3.

They rode the all-around play of Emma Brierly (four aces, four kills, three assists), Melanie Fox (four aces, two assists, two digs, kill) and Carlee Mahurin (three kills, three aces, two blocks).

Freshman

East Union 2, Sierra 0

East Union denied Sierra a chance at extending the match in its 25-17, 26-24 victory.

Alex Surnip pounded out four kills, and Noemi Perez served 11 points for Sierra.