Notebook: Volleyball playoff picture starts to take shape; MJC to honor 1980 title team
Going into the final three weeks of the regular season in volleyball, the Central California Athletic League has proved to be very competitive.
League leader, No. 21 Pitman (16-7, 4-1), got the best of Turlock in the first round of their rivalry on Sept. 28 and Modesto High on Sept. 30, both in straight sets.
They host Downey (21-10, 3-2) on Oct. 7 after falling in a five-set thriller earlier this season.
The middle of the league is competitive as Downey, Enochs and Turlock all are 3-2.
Volleyball playoffs start Oct. 25 and teams are starting to get into the second round of league play.
Escalon Volleyball continues to win: The Cougars remain the best team in the Stanislaus District. The Cougars ranked sixth in the section, according to MaxPreps and boast a 19-1 overall record and 6-0 in the Trans-Valley League.
They extended their win streak to 15 games, beating Central California Athletic Alliance leader Big Valley Christian (16-9, 5-0 CCAA) in a non-league match on Monday, Oct. 4 in straight sets, 25-20, 26-24, 25-15.
Though they earned the victory, head coach Teresa Williamson saw areas of improvement, saying her team is “playing for the playoffs.”
Escalon hosts Riverbank on Oct. 7 at 6 p.m. and visits Ripon Oct. 12 at 6:30 p.m.
Former Grace Davis High football star on pace for big college season: Davis High alum Talolo Limu-Jones has had an impactful career at FCS Eastern Washington.
The 6-foot-4, 220-pound receiver came into his redshirt senior year with 90 career catches for 1,600 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Limu-Jones had a career game this weekend in a 34-28 win over Montana, tallying 11 catches for 231 yards to keep his team undefeated and extend EWU’s home win streak to 19 games.
Through five games, has 576 yards and 2 touchdowns.
MJC is ready to start conference: Modesto Junior College is ranked No. 12 in the state in the California Community College Sports Information Association (CCCSIA) poll, dropping two spots after a 32-7 loss to the state’s top team, College of San Mateo (5-0).
The Pirates played tough games in their preseason. Even though they finished 3-2, both losses came to the two top teams in the state in CSM and second-ranked City College of San Francisco (5-0).
The coaching staff feels as though the team is battl- tested and ready to start league in two weeks.
MJC will have a bye this weekend then start its Big 8 Conference games with homecoming against West Hills on Oct. 16 at 6 p.m.
At that game, the Pirates will honor the 1980 national championship team at halftime.
The best team in school history went 11-0 and beat No. 1 ranked Pasadena City College at the Rose Bowl to win the national championship and featured eight all-Central Valley Conference players and the coach of the year in Dick Loyd.
Prior to the game, players, alumni and fans are welcome to meet at Dust Bowl Brewery in Turlock at 1 p.m.
Western States Water Polo Tournament: Water polo season is heating up as playoffs start in just under a month on Nov. 2.
The 43rd Western States Tournament is Oct. 15 and 16 and features teams from California, Washington and Oregon.
Johansen, Beyer, Downey, Ripon and Enochs will host both girls and boys matches. Additional girls host sites include Turlock, Pitman, Oakdale and Modesto.
