By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Rough End To Regular Season For Volleyball
vball seniors
Ten OHS volleyball seniors were honored on Senior Night 2017. They all gathered around the Mustang statue inside The Corral before their game. The girls were wearing their Rise Up Against Cancer warm-ups as a sign of unity against cancer. Rise Up is also the teams moto. DENNIS D. CRUZ/THE LEADER

Senior Night 2017 was full of energy and high hopes on the volleyball court. The Lady Mustangs varsity team entered Monday night, Oct. 23 tied with Manteca for first place in the standings with two games left to play. By the end of the week the girls finished the season in second place, having lost both of those contests.

Monday’s senior night featured 10 seniors being honored for their contributions to the Oakdale volleyball program. Jenna Armario, Ashley Moreno, Abigail Matoso, Anahi Torres, Jocelyn Burke, Alesha Harden, Vienna Juarez, Shawn Spani, Anna Wong and Elizabeth McKenzie were all honored and their careers were celebrated before their home game against Central Catholic.

“It has been an honor playing for Coach Heather Gonzales and Oakdale volleyball,” Burke said before the game.

However, the team’s energy seemed to fade away shortly into the contest. Oakdale won the first set 25-19 but then dropped three straight sets (21-25, 20-25, 21-25) to lose the Valley Oak League showdown.

Two days later the girls headed to Lathrop to take on the fourth place Spartans. Lathrop defeated Oakdale in five sets. The dramatic five set road marathon featured Oakdale winning the first two sets (25-17, 25-16). However, the resilient Spartans strung together a three set rally to stun the defending three-time Valley Oak League champs (12-25, 21-25, 14-16).

Oakdale finished the regular season with a record of 13-11 overall, 11-3 in league. Halloween night the girls entered the 2017 Sac-Joaquin Section DIII playoffs as the ninth seed. Oakdale traveled to Modesto on Tuesday, Oct. 31 to face the eighth seeded Beyer Patriots (22-7, 9-3) following The Leader’s press time. Winner of that first round contest will move on to second round action Thursday, Nov. 2 at 7 p.m.