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Senior Boys, Varsity Girls Prevail In Volleyball Battles
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Varsity volleyball head coach Teresa Williamson, at left, welcomed a large group of alumni – many of whom she coached – back to the volleyball court on Friday night. Two teams of alumni squared off, then a combined squad faced off with the varsity volleyball girls, playing in an epic three-set match, the varsity winning 2-1. Marg Jackson/The Times

With an intense Buff Puff competition and alumni teams playing like they were back in high school, it was an entertaining, edge-of-your-seat night in the main gym at Escalon High School on Friday.

The May 27 fundraiser for the EHS volleyball program featured the boys playing first, with the seniors defeating the freshmen in the opening match, the sophomores getting past the juniors in the second match. That set up the championship between the seniors and sophomores and it went to three sets, the seniors pulling out the win in the finale.

“What an amazing night! The Buff Puff was one of the most competitive matches I’ve ever seen. All the games were so close it was crazy,” varsity volleyball head coach Teresa Williamson noted of the boys volleyball, with the volleyball girls at the same grade levels serving as coaches. “I love watching our girls coach these boys. Listening to them coach and teach the same things we have taught them warms my heart. Congratulations to the seniors on their championship. I’m very proud of all four levels.”

Then, teams of alumni squared off in the contest to win the right to take on this year’s Section championship varsity girls volleyball team. Lots of years were represented, from 1993 to 2021, with head coach Williamson, Class of ’86, overseeing the competition.

Alumni suiting up included Morgan Jensen Gomez, Natalie Bianchi-De Wit, Shaylynn Beam, Cassidy Caton, Stephanie Williamson Ceja, Brooke Silva, Diana Scott, Jaden Scott, Jenna Martin Rodriguez, Mya Scott, Koren Rodriguez, Amanda Clayton McNeil, Emily Gallego Johnson, Michele Barajas, Mya Beary, Nicole Bianchi, Krystal Barajas Rodriguez, Adalia Cajias Baciocco, Tiana Lopez.

After fighting through that competition, the winning alumni team picked up a couple extra members from the ‘losing’ side to take on the Lady Cougars. But as Williamson noted, there really were no losers, as the competition all around was top notch.

“As for the alumni, what a bunch of amazing athletes. So fun to watch them play,” she explained. “The teams were so evenly matched and they all played out of their minds.”

Game one went to the alumni team by a 26-24 final, the varsity coming back to win the second, 25-23, and the teams battling point for point in the finale, the varsity girls ultimately capturing the 16-14 win.

“Congratulations to my varsity volleyball team on their victory over the alumni team,” Williamson said. “Such a great match but they pulled out the win.”

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After defeating the freshmen in the opening round, the Escalon High School senior Buff Puff boys claimed the championship by defeating the sophomores in the volleyball title match. Senior girls on the varsity volleyball team served as their coaches, sharing in the win. Marg Jackson/The Times
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Celebrating a hard fought point are alumni, from left, Jenna Martin Rodriguez, Stephanie Williamson Ceja, Mya Beary and Shaylynn Beam. Marg Jackson/The Times
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Senior Caden Gonsalves stays focused on the court during the competition with the sophomores on Friday night, the senior Buff Puff squad coming away with the championship. Marg Jackson/The Times