ONLINE EXCLUSIVE -- A thrilling five-game showdown for the final say on the Valley Oak League volleyball title race fell Sonora's way when the final point dropped in front of stunned Mustang players for a 15-13 Sonora victory late Tuesday night.

Oakdale won two of the first three games after 25-23, 23-25, 25-21 scores to start the match, but fell 25-23 in the fourth and allowed a late Sonora charge to seal the tiebreaker. The five-game frenzy played out in front of a huge crowd inside the Mustang gymnasium.

Sonora ensured a perfect league finish and VOL title with the win, while Oakdale stayed second in the conference standings at 12-2. Neither team dropped a single league game to any other program but each other.

Oakdale will move on to the Division III Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs while Sonora squares off with the best teams of D-IV.

Oakdale’s junior varsity team suffered a two game defeat while the Mustang freshman beat Sonora to force a co-Valley Oak League championship.

 For additional information on this match and Oakdale's start to the playoffs, catch the Nov. 9 print edition of the Oakdale Leader.