Ripon’s Jayson Ponce reeled off 12 consecutive service points to close out the third set for a come-from-behind win, and the Indians went on to secure a thrilling five-set 25-18, 23-25, 25-15, 14-25, 18-16 victory over host Sierra in non-league boys volleyball action.
“We mixed things up for this game today,” Ripon coach Tara Maruyama said. “I switched some people around and Jayson Ponce is an amazing server.
“This was a nail-biter. The whole entire time I thought I was going to have a heart attack. Some of these kids have never played before and they played so well today. I can’t ask for anything more.”
Ponce toed the service line in the third set with the Indians (1-2) trailing 13-15 and he tallied three of his seven aces during that 12-point run.
“It felt good with the momentum from my teammates cheering me on,” Ponce said. “Once I got comfortable with the ball and my arm was super hot
“After every serve they came harder and harder and crisper and crisper.”
Ripon’s Hunter Adams tallied 13 kills and a three blocks with four kills and two blocks in the decisive fifth set.
“I have only been playing for six months,” Adams said. “And since I have only been playing since last summer I have been busting my butt.
“I tried my best and I am glad it was enough to get us the win.”
Garrett Bright dished out 14 assists for the Indians.
David Caamano came up big for the Timberwolves (0-2) in the second set with eight of his 15 kills. He also had three aces.
“David Caamano is a hard-hitting machine and he is very disciplined, probably my most disciplined player,” Sierra coach Amy Rosendin said. “He is a winner and a competitor. He is only a junior and he has great things to come. We have him playing all the way around because although he is a great hitter, he does a good job receiving too.
“This was a tough one to lose. We were playing with the second and third setters and they did a good job. Noel Ruezga is normally our second setter and he controlled it well. He had some great hits and some great sets.”
Rajan Dhaliwal posted five kills for the Timberwolves.
Today at 6 p.m. Sierra hosts Ripon Christian and Ripon hosts Weston Ranch.
Junior varsity
Ripon 2, Sierra 1
Marquell Marshall paced the Indians with eight service points, three aces and four assists.
Ripon’s Martin Raygoza added three kills, two aces, an assist and a block and Anthony Gomez chipped in two aces and an assist.
Owen Altadonna led the Timberwolves with six kills and three blocks. Xavier Gaspar tallied three kills and two digs and Gurshan Singh posted three aces.
