The Ripon Indians opened up Trans Valley League play Monday night, scoring a workmanlike four set victory over Escalon, 25-18, 27-25, 25-18, 25-19.
Ripon (1-0, 8-2) was led offensively by outside hitter Drake Krippene (23 kills), middle hitter Trent Olmo (9 kills) who were set up well all evening long by Cade Fullmer (33 assists).
“We knew coming in Escalon was a much improved team,” Indians coach Tara Maruyama said. “We have some guys who are injured which has us playing some guys in new positions they’ve never seen before, so anytime you can get that experience and get a win at the same time it’s a good thing.”
Any inexperience in the lineup for the Indians was overshadowed by Krippene in the first set. Eleven of his game high 23 kills came in the opening set that saw the hosts go down 4-0 but pull away late for a 25-18 victory to go up 1-0.
“Overall I think we played pretty good tonight,” Krippene said. “We could not have asked for better sets from Cade especially in that first set. He was putting the ball in great spots so I could just go up and get it.”
Any notion that Escalon (0-1, 1-3) would be defeated easily was dispelled in the second set. Once again they jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead in the set, but this time they were able to finish the job. Strong defense from middle hitter Preston Berhorst (five blocks) and offense from outside hitter Mikie Lourenco (nine kills) and middle blocker Daniel Gonzalez (eight kills) propelled the Cougars to a 27-25 second set win to tie the game 1-1.
“I played with the rotation a bit in the second set,” Maruyama said. “We had the same guys out there just in in different positions and the set got away from us. We have a young team and when things start going the other teams way some panic sets in. Luckily we were able to fix that going into the third.”
Back in normal rotation, the Indians settled in in the third set. Junior outside hitter Alex Alvarellos recorded three of his five aces in the game in the set, and the connection of Fullmer and Krippene got back going. The Indians would pull away to win the third 25-18.
“The third set was big for us, getting back into running our plays,” Krippene said. “We’re always trying to think a play ahead and I think that is where we find the most success when we’re not reacting but anticipating the next movement the next pass or set that will put us in good spots to score.”
Krippene and Olmo combined for eleven kills in the fourth and deciding set that saw Ripon pull away to win 25-19 after only being up 18-17 late.
For Maruyama, it is always nice to get a win, but there are takeaways and areas to improve on as the TVL schedule continues.
“We get into the habit of thinking every play is going to be bump, set, spike, over,” she said. “We need to keep reminding them that this is league play and every ball is coming back. So before we start celebrating each other’s accomplishments we make sure that we are ready should the ball be returned.”
The Indians will have plenty of opportunity to work out some of Maruyama teachings as Monday was the first game in four days for the team. They will host Enochs on Tuesday, and travel to Hilmar and Beyer on Wednesday and Thursday respectively.
Junior Varsity
Ripon 2, Escalon 1
The JV Indians spotted the visiting Cougars a first set 25-23 victory, before storming back to win the second set 25-16 and third set 15-8.
