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Lady Mustang Volleyball Squads Top Host Sierra
Harper pix.JPG
Oakdale’s varsity girls took three straight sets from Sierra on the road to punch their ticket to the playoffs. Shown is Emma Harper, 10, sending the ball over. DENNIS D. CRUZ/THE LEADER

Thursday night, Oct. 18 Oakdale High School’s volleyball team wrapped up the regular season on the road. Oakdale (9-9, 7-5) took on the Sierra Timberwolves (5-13, 1-11) in Manteca. It was Senior Night 2018 for the home team but Oakdale played spoiler to the festivities as they dominated in three sets.

Oakdale entered the night with uncertainty of a playoff spot. One thing was for sure; it was a must win for the Lady Mustangs if they wanted any chance of advancing to the postseason. With the Tuesday night before off, Oakdale entered the game refreshed and focused. The Lady Mustangs finished off the Timberwolves in three short sets; as set number two was the most competitive when Oakdale won 25-13. The Lady Mustangs capped off the night with a 25-5 victory.

“We came here to do what we needed to do to try and reach the postseason,” said head coach Heather Gonzales.

Oakdale did make the playoffs and will compete in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division III Girls Volleyball bracket. The Lady Mustangs were named as the 11th seed in the 16-team tournament. On Tuesday, Oct. 23 the girls traveled to Merced to face the sixth seeded El Capitan Gauchos. The first round playoff game was held following The Leader’s press time. The Gauchos finished the regular season in second place in the Central California Conference standings with a record of 22-7, 10-2.

Familiar teams in the tournament include the top seeded Central Catholic Raiders, who went undefeated and won the Valley Oak League. Fellow Valley Oak League team Manteca was named the seventh seed and will take on Beyer in the first round.

If Oakdale is victorious at El Capitan they will take on the winner of Christian Brothers and former Valley Oak League team, Lathrop. The game would be played on Thursday, Oct. 25 at the higher seeded team’s home. Christian Brothers is the third seed and Lathrop is the 14th seed.

 

JUNIOR VARSITY

Wrapping up a perfect run, the Oakdale JV girls capped off their spotless league campaign with a 25-19, 25-12 road win over Sierra. With the win the girls finished the regular season unbeaten in Valley Oak League play and were named 2018 VOL champions.