Oakdale could avenge its only defeat in VOL

But Sonora is determined to remain perfect with a win

Stu Rosenberg
srosenberg@modbee.com

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Back on Sept. 30, Sonora and Oakdale were tied for the lead in the Valley Oak League. But the Wildcats swept the Mustangs.

Now, Oakdale looks to avenge its only league loss in Thursday night's rematch at Oakdale.

Sonora, more specifically twin sisters Hanah and Sarah Blume, dominated the first meeting, in which the Cougars rolled to a 25-18, 25-17, 25-22 victory. Sarah had 21 assists and five aces and Hanah delivered 17 kills.

Sonora (17-1, 14-0 VOL) has since extended its winning streak to 14 consecutive matches, the latest being a 3-0 sweep of East Union on Monday night.

Oakdale (13-1, 18-3) has won seven straight matches since falling to the Wildcats, and will look to rebound behind its own sister act — twins Jaci and Juli and younger sister Domi Powell.

The Mustangs swept Manteca 3-0 Monday night, getting six kills and six aces from Jaci, 22 digs from Juli and 20 assists from Jackee Lee.

• ATWATER CLINCHES CCC TITLE SHARE — Atwater clinched at least a share of the Central California Conference championship by beating Merced on Tuesday night. But it was the Falcons' come-from-behind victory over Golden Valley on Friday night that will likely go down as the season's high point.

Super setter Marissa Guardado's match-high 37 assists helped the Falcons (9-0) climb out of a 2-0 hole and pull out a 3-2 win (25-27, 20-25, 25-20, 25-18, 15-7) over the host Cougars (7-3), who were celebrating Senior Night.

• ESCALON, RIPON ON COLLISION COURSE — Round one went to Ripon in five games. Round two went to Escalon in four.

Round three will be next Tuesday at Ripon, when the Trans-Valley League rivals meet again for a match that will decide the league championship.

The last time the teams met, Katie Aprile had 41 assists, 12 digs, two blocks and two aces for Escalon (11-1 TVL), while Kaitlyn Brayton had 23 kills, 18 digs, a block and an ace.

Ripon's Kelsey Johnston had 39 assists and three aces, while Ashley Robinson contributed 15 kills for the Indians.

• LATHROP WINS FIRST — The Lathrop Spartans are on the board.

In only its first year of varsity competition in the Valley Oak League, Lathrop lost the first 16 games of its inaugural campaign before breaking through with victory No. 1 last Wednesday at home against Weston Ranch, winning 3-1.

Janel Butler led the way for Lathrop, delivering a triple-double with 23 assists, 13 kills and 15 digs to go along with five aces. Britney Rallios contributed 22 digs, six aces and four kills, and Krystal Ruiz added 10 kills and three blocks for the Spartans.

"The girls were so excited. For the first time they felt like a winner," said Lathrop coach Angela Cuellar.

The win avenged an earlier 3-2 loss at Weston Ranch.