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Sierra’s Barnes, Zalunardo receive top VOL honors
All-VOL flag football
Janessa Barnes of Sierra tries to avoid Manteca’s Rylan Steckler in a Valley Oak League game at Daniel Teicheira Memorial Stadium. - photo by JONAMAR JACINTO/The Bulletin

 The Valley Oak League’s first flag football champion nearly swept the postseason major awards.

Two-way juggernaut Janessa Barnes was named MVP for Sierra (11-1 VOL, 19-6 overall), and freshman teammate Tessa Zalunardo is Outstanding Offensive Player. Leanna Nzoule of Patterson (6-6, 7-13) received Outstanding Defensive Player.

All three Manteca Unified schools in the VOL clinched the three automatic playoff berths. Sierra split its season series with rival East Union (10-2, 18-5), which was denied a piece of the title because of an upset loss at Oakdale (4-8, 4-11). Manteca (8-4, 12-13) placed third.

East Union, Manteca and Oakdale started their flag football programs this season, while the rest of the league members began last year when the sport was sanctioned by the California Interscholastic Federation. Since most VOL members did not field teams in the inaugural season, Sierra had to compete in the Tri-City Athletic League.

“We were blessed to have a really successful season,” Sierra coach Chris Zalunardo said. “Obviously, we have some incredible athletes on our team, and it was great to have in the VOL this year. It’s a tough league with a lot of great teams. East Union is one of them. Manteca also has some good athletes, as do Patterson and Oakdale. It’s great to have that level of competition in the league.”

All-VOL flag football
Sierra defensive back Janessa Barnes runs down Oakdale ball carrier Savannah Rivera.

Barnes stood out with her splashy plays and big numbers on both sides of scrimmage, finishing in the top 20 nationally in receiving yards (12th, 2,209 yards), total points (19th, 254 points), total touchdowns (19th, 40) and interceptions (12th, 23).

In league play, Barnes totaled 23 touchdowns while racking up 1,159 yards on 87 receptions. Defensively, she 15 interceptions, one returned for a touchdown, and 13 pass deflections.

“She had an incredible season, and obviously her stats show it,” coach Zalunardo said. “Janessa is an incredible athlete who makes big plays on a consistent basis.”

Tessa Zalunardo is one of Sierra’s two quarterbacks, sharing the spot with all-league

All-VOL flag football
Sierra quarterback Tessa Zalunardo escapes the pass rush from Oakdale’s Cassidy Terry.
selection Maitland Kohoutek. Zalunardo was the dual-threat of the two, completing 78% percent of passes for 1,304 yards, 20 TDs and seven interceptions while leading the team with 417 rushing yards and two scores.

“She’s a first-year player, and it started out that way,” her dad and coach Chris Zalunardo said. “Once she got the hang of the game, she helped bring a confidence to the offense. That helped us be more consistent getting the ball down the field.”

The Timberwolves had five All-VOL first-team selections in all.

Kohoutek, also a very productive defensive player at safety, amassed 1,443 passing yards, 23 touchdowns and five interceptions.

Senior linebacker Taylor Zalunardo and pass rusher Margeil Garcia made the first-team defense. Like Barnes, they were among the nation’s most prolific players, with Zalunardo collecting the ninth most overall tackles (172) and Garcia racking up the 10th most sacks (37.0). Zalunardo pulled 77 flags to go with three interceptions and 11 pass break-ups in league. Garcia added 38 tackles and 17.0 sacks.

Sierra center Alizon Cozby (221 receiving yards, five TDs) and Zoe Sutton (553 receiving yards, 11 TDs) were both named to the All-VOL second team. Priya Dhaliwal and Jaylen Esteban received honorable mention.

All-VOL flag football
East Union running back Caliyah Lopez is met by Manteca linebackers Sydney Snyder, left, and Athena Pasion. - photo by SEAN KAHLER

East Union had three players get first-team spots.

Leading the Lancers was junior Caliyah Lopez, who recorded 69 receptions for 764 yards and 11 touchdowns. She also rushed for 345 yards and two more scores. Sophomore quarterback Julianna Gaspar completed 61.0% of passes for 2,682 yards, 30 TDs and 16 interceptions. Senior defensive back Kaylee Mejia finished with 42 tackles, two interceptions and 11 pass deflections.

Gwen Baker (351 receiving yards, three TDs), Ava Barrera (497 receiving yards, six TDs), Alexa Bretao (33 tackles) and Larissa Harries (46 tackles, five INTs) represent East Union on the second team. Leah Alstadt and Journi Dixon got honorable mention.

For Manteca, junior receiver Keira McCulley, senior defensive back Kalaja Reese and senior safety Rylan Steckler were voted to the All-VOL first team.

Freshman Mayh Hayter and senior Audrey Villanueva were named to the second-team offense, while senior linebackers Chantel Rosillo and Sydney Snyder made it for defense. Antonique Jones and Kashae Reese garnered honorable mention.