Closing out their inaugural season, the Escalon varsity volleyball boys split their final two matches of the campaign. They were on the road April 23 and defeated Riverbank, then lost on their Senior Night at home, April 25 to Ripon.
At Riverbank, they swept the host Bruins, 25-1, 25-5, 25-19.
“We lost a little bit of our edge and focus in set three but we got it done,” said head coach Shay Beam. “Ben Ferreira had eight aces, 17 assists and four kills. Mikie Lourenco had seven kills and one block, and Frank Barrera had three blocks in this match.”
Also figuring in big was libero Aydun Melo, who had 21 digs and was solid in the back row.
Frank Barrera was honored at Thursday’s Senior Night ceremony, as the only senior on the first-year volleyball squad. Then, the team did battle against a more experienced Ripon team.
“We put up a good fight in the first two sets but unfortunately couldn’t take a set off of Ripon,” Beam noted.
They fell in straight sets to the visitors, 17-25, 16-25, 14-25. For the season, the boys did go 4-4 in league play.
“We have some tough competition in the Trans-Valley League, boys volleyball has been around for several years. I’m very proud of our boys both at the JV and varsity level.”
Escalon offered volleyball as a sport for boys for the first time this school year.
“I’m excited to see how much this program will continue to grow,” said Beam.
TRACK/FIELD
Hosting its second track and field meet of the season on April 24, Escalon welcomed rival Ripon to town. The visitors left with track and field victories for both the boys and girls, said EHS coach Arend Jones.
“Although Escalon trailed far behind in overall points, there were a few individuals who did very well and many put up new personal records,” Jones said.
Freshman Brynn Caton was third in long jump at 15-4; sophomore Annabelle Armstrong was second in pole vault at 6-0. Senior Chloe Farley had a new PR in shot put at 34-4.5 and took first place. Freshman Victoria Calderon was third in the 800 at 2:50.99; junior Megan Silva was third in the 100 at 12.90.
Sophomore Chase Cummings placed first in the 110 hurdles at 16.84; junior Calan Crumbley was first in the 400 meters at 54.27.
On Friday, at the TVL frosh-soph finals in Hughson, the Escalon girls were second overall and the boys placed fifth.
“At the TVL frosh/soph final there were some more stellar performances and new personal records,” Jones said.
Sophomore Co Northcutt was first in the 400 at 54.36; sophomore Chase Cummings was first in the 110 hurdles and second in the 300 hurdles.
Sophomore Gracie Airola was first in the shot put at 29-1; sophomore Gloria Segura was second in discus at 84-4. Freshman Rachelle Barker was third in high jump at 5-0; freshman Carli Jones was third in long jump at 28-8.
The varsity finals for TVL are scheduled May 2 at Ripon.
Several team members also traveled to an invitational meet in Oregon on April 20 with 15 athletes attending. A total of 12 new PRs were set and some Cougars also earned medals at the meet. Medalists were Andew Morales, second place, 800, fourth fastest time in Escalon history and a PR at 2:04.25; he also set a new EHS and personal record with a third place 4:22 in the 1500. Jose Calderon set a PR in the 1500 at 4:34.57 and took second place in the 3000.
Kylie Fast was fourth in the 1500 with a 5:21 PR, earning a medal, and notching the third fastest time in EHS history. She also medaled in the 800, fourth place in 2:29.
Other notable performers were: Ben Lora, eighth in shot put, 100 PR in discus; Nicholas Fernandez, PR 113, discus; Aimy VanDykhuizen, PR 73-3 discus, PR 26-1 triple jump; Mady VanDykhuizen, PR 400 1:05.87, 10th place. Also, Jocelyn Espinoza, PR 6:09, 1500; PR 3:02, 800; Christian T Cruz, PR 0:12, 100.
GOLF
In the TVL No. 6 tournament hosted at Ripon, the Cougar boys struggled, but still managed a fourth-place finish. Ripon took first with a team score of 323, followed by Hughson in second with 400. Carding a 418 on the day was Livingston, while Escalon came in fourth at 497. Also competing were Hilmar and Riverbank. Brenden Berchtold had a 90 to place 18th while Nate Krieger was right behind at 91 for a 19th place finish. Matix Trimble shot a 97 for Escalon, Angel Castro carded a 98 and Ethan Tellez shot a 121.
TENNIS
Escalon tennis players will hit the court on Tuesday, May 7 as they earned a first-round bye in section action. They received the number two seed and will take on the winner of the number 7 El Dorado, number 10 Highlands match from May 2. Game time on May 7 is 4 pm.
