In a Valley Oak League match with playoff implications, Manteca was in top form Tuesday in its 25-16, 25-13, 25-19 win over visiting rival East Union.
The first half of league play ends Thursday, and the Buffaloes (3-2 VOL, 8-5 overall) picked up an important win against another postseason. They’re tied for third place, with Manteca holding the head-to-head tiebreaker, so far, and only the top three placers make the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs.
While pleased with the win, coach Robin Chandler is even more satisfied with how the team played.
“I’m really excited,” she said. “Even when they got down a few points, they kept the energy and had fun. We knew they have some very good players at East Union, so we could not let them get the momentum. We had to keep it on our side.”
Outside hitter Saniyah Anthony provided the offensive punch, finishing with 11 kills. Riley Ward delivered 15 assists, Amil Gaskins netted six blocks and libero Nicole Ayala had a match-high 10 digs and three aces.
Two underclassmen also played key roles.
Freshman Ariceli McBroom racked up eight service points, six coming consecutively during a big momentum swing in the second set when Manteca rallied for a 20-11 lead. Gaskins had three of her blocks during that run.
Sophomore middle Trinity Todd contributed five kills and eight blocks, and much of her plays also came in key moments.
“Her energy is infectious,” Chandler said. “She is going to be so good. Right now, she’s still learning a few things, but having her there in the middle has been huge for us. It took a minute for her to get the confidence to start, but the last two weeks she’s been starting and you can really see the difference.”
Katelynn Trevino led East Union (3-2, 4-6) with 11 kills. Setter Marcella Carranza collected 16 assists. Meritiana Luani compiled seven kills and four digs. Isabella Rodriguez pitched in seven digs, five The The Lancers had an opportunity to extend the match but could not overcome their unforced errors. Trevino kept them in the fight with clutch kills in the third game, the first of which tied it at 17-17. East Union remained in range while down 20-19 thanks to another kill from Trevino, prompting Manteca to call a timeout.
The short break seemed to be all the Buffaloes needed. Anthony started the closing 4-0 run with a kill, which was followed by a hitting error from EU.
Peyton McDonald gave Manteca match point when her diving dig sent the ball over the net and to an open space down the line. The contest then ended when an East Union player was called for a double touch. That was just how the night went for the Lancers.
“Just poor choices on our side,” East Union coach Tevani Liotard said. “They didn’t do anything special besides play ball tonight. Their feet were moving, while our feet sitting and watching the game. That’s pretty much all three sets. We couldn’t get anything going.”
It doesn’t get any easier for EU, which heads to second-place Sierra on Thursday. Manteca will be back home to face Oakdale.
“In this league, anything is possible,” Liotard said. “It’s just, who is going to come and play?”
Junior varsity
Manteca 2, East Union 1
The Buffaloes held on for the 25-12, 12-25, 15-11 win behind Maddie Nunes’ five kills, 11 digs and four service points.
Na’ima Calderon also had five kills. Annika Burns netted seven assists and three digs, while fellow setter Maylea Sims had six assists and five digs.
Chloe Martin and Jacqueline Leon picked up 10 and nine digs, respectively.
Freshman
Manteca 2, East Union 1
Jill Aldape amassed six kills, 11 assists, nine digs and eight service points to help Manteca notch a hard-earned 21-25, 25-22, 15-13 victory.
Lana Jane Bondoc tallied 28 digs. Susan Joseph contributed seven digs, 11 service points and four aces. Dani Davenport added 12 digs.
Kadence Rossi paced East Union with five kills, four blocks and an ace. Isabella Martinez had three kills and five blocks. Camille Christensen and Katelyn Partney also pounded three kills apiece. Maria Kallandytkl dished out 13 assists.
