With the Valley Oak League schedule days from opening the Oakdale High varsity volleyball team looks to be taking their games to the next level after a strong performance in the High Sierra Volleyball Tournament in Reno, Nevada on Sept. 4-5.

The Lady Mustangs represented the Valley Oak League well, closing out tournament action with a respectable fifth place finish out of 36 teams vying for the tournament title. Oakdale notched victories over Reno, Vista de Lago, Rio Americano, and Manogue, the defending Nevada State champion.

“I was happy with the finish,” Oakdale head coach Shelli Ponce said. “Especially considering the girls had competed every single night this week and they were sore and tired.”

Ponce’s focus is firmly set on defending the VOL crown the squad won a season ago and the grueling preseason circuit it set solely for that reason. Oakdale faced some of the more competitive teams in the western region, leaving the team no room for doubt as to what they are capable of this season.

“I was proud of their commitment and drive that they had during this tournament,” Ponce said. “To play their very best throughout every match.  We saw a lot of different teams that we normally would not see. It was a great tournament to participate in.”

Oakdale standout Jaci Powell had her regular season form on display, lifting All-Tournament Honors out of the biggest little city on earth, continuing a run of impressive play.

The players participated in an amazing 34 games in the monstrous workout week, giving themselves an aggressive look at who they will be this fall as a team. Oakdale will try and stay productive on the non-league schedule, making trips to Ripon High and Hughson High of the Trans-Valley League (Sept. 9 and Sept. 10) for their final pair of preseason games.

The Lady Mustang JV team will be hosting their annual Oakdale JV Tournament this week with 12 teams slotted for the event, while the freshman Lady Mustangs will be making an appearance in the Carmichael Tournament Sept. 12 near Sacramento.