By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Trans-Valley League Win For Volleyball Girls
DUO
Juniors Mekenna Eisenga, left, and Brooke Silva take a moment in between Riverbank serves to set themselves and get ready to continue battling the visiting Lady Bruins. Escalon took a 3-0 decision off the court in TVL play Thursday. - photo by Marg Jackson/The Times

JV and varsity volleyball teams for Escalon defeated visiting Riverbank on Thursday to open up the Trans-Valley League campaign with a victory.

The Bruins do not field a freshman team.

For both squads, it was a straight sets win, but both coaches noted that Riverbank has some talented players on the court.

“We did close them out in three, 25-16, 25-20, 25-11,” said varsity coach Teresa Williamson. “They played very well, Riverbank has some talent this year, probably one of the better teams I’ve seen from them.”

Leading the way for Escalon was Taylor Laugero with 18 assists, while Cassidy Caton had 13 kills, seven aces and 13 digs. Savannah Guerra had 13 digs as well.

“The girls played very well, it was a good night for us,” said Williamson.

It was the third contest of the week, with the varsity traveling to Sonora for a non-league contest on Monday, Sept. 16. They lost there in three, 19-25, 15-25, 11-25.

“We struggled all the way around and I didn’t have much to say after except that everybody has a bad day, we need to put it behind us and move forward from there,” Williamson said.

Caton had nine kills and one ace, Laugero 18 assists and one ace, Kylee Irwin-Paz one block, Guerra 21 digs.

“They showed a lot of character, though, coming back to beat a very good Oakdale team,” Williamson said of her squad.

They hosted the Lady Mustangs on Tuesday and came away with a 3-1 win. Scores were 25-18, 14-25, 25-23, 25-15.

“Everybody got to play and it showed a lot of heart to bounce back,” said the coach, with 19 assists and 19 digs from Laugero, eight kills and three aces from Krysten Rose, two blocks and 19 digs from Caton.

 

JV/Freshmen

The junior varsity girls also enjoyed a league win on Thursday, topping Riverbank 27-25, 25-12. Escalon’s line up was changed up a little for the opener, so they battled to take the Bruins, but then settled in and took care of business with the regular line up in game two.

“They’re probably the best Riverbank JV team I have seen,” said coach Stephanie Williamson. “They are very scrappy and they dug everything we sent their way.”

Against Sonora in non-league action, the JV girls won 25-21 and 25-15 on Monday, then fell at home to Oakdale by a 20-25, 25-21, 13-15 verdict on Tuesday.

The freshmen had a tough week, falling to both Valley Oak League squads, losing to Sonora in three games and to Oakdale in two.

League play continues this week, with all three teams scheduled to face off in Ripon on Tuesday (Sept. 24), after The Times went to press, and then travel to Orestimba on Thursday, Sept. 26.