Sierra (21-4) played seven matches in six days last week, facing a two-time defending Sac-Joaquin Section champion and a gauntlet of out-of-area clubs in the 14th annual Stockton Classic.

In between were two crucial matches in the Timberwolves’ quest for their first-ever Valley Oak League championship. They knocked off second-place Oakdale 25-21, 19-25, 25-21, 25-18 at home last Tuesday, Oct. 4. On Thursday, Sierra squeaked out a 25-13, 22-25, 22-25, 25-23, 16-14 win at defending co-champion Central Catholic.

Thomson was instrumental in both wins. Against Oakdale, she tallied 27 assists, six kills and five digs. She anchored Sierra on offense and defense at Central Catholic, amassing 53 assists and a team-high 19 digs.

The Timberwolves are now 7-0 in the VOL and can clinch at least a piece of their first-ever title Thursday at East Union.    

“During the toughest and most challenging week of Sierra’s season,” Sierra coach Kim Ellis said. “Becca helped led the team to victory against our top league opponents, nearly securing our spot as No. 1 in the VOL.”

They started the week with a big non-league showdown at Escalon, the reigning SJS champ which was unbeaten at the time. Sierra was dealt a four-game defeat — 25-23, 19-25, 11-25, 25-27 — but proved to be a worthy adversary for the Cougars. Thomson produced 31 assists, 15 digs and three kills.

The T’wolves placed third in the Lincoln-site bracket, winning two of four matches in all. They went undefeated in pool play with two-set wins over Chico (25-14, 25-21) and American Canyon (25-14, 25-17) but were swept by battle-tested squads from Miramonte (22-25, 18-25) and Del Oro (19-25, 24-26).

Thomson totaled 74 assists, seven kills, nine aces and 15 digs in the two-day tournament.