On the road, it was a big win for Escalon’s varsity volleyball team this past week, as they went to Ripon Christian and came home with the Trans-Valley League victory.

“We lost in four the first time we played them, at home, so it was exciting to travel to them this week,” said head coach Shay Beam. “We won in an exciting five-set match.”

Escalon fell in the first set, 16-25, then came back to take the next two, 25-22, 25-23. Ripon Christian rallied for the win in the fourth set, Escalon falling in that one 22-25, but the Lady Cougars came together for the pivotal fifth set, winning it by a 15-7 final.

“We had a few points where we should have capitalized on the ball and put it down but overall, the girls played very well Thursday night,” Beam said of the Oct. 17 contest.

Claire Barkus and Lisa Murga had 10 kills each to pace the team. Barkus added three blocks while Murga had four.

“Emma Rangel had 19 digs, helping our offense get set up,” noted Beam. “Chloe Fraser had a monster game with 21 kills.”

JV/Freshmen

The other two levels for the volleyball program did not have as good a night against RC. Although competitive, both the JV and freshman girls fell to the host Lady Knights.

For the junior varsity, scores were 25-23, 15-25, 5-15; the match going the full three sets.

“Brynn Caton had four kills, Peyton Jacobs had 12 digs, and Jayci Trimble had three aces and three blocks,” said JV head coach Alyssa Cogburn.

The youngest Lady Cougars also pushed the host team to three sets, but ultimately fell by a 2-1 match final.

“We won the first set 25-17,” said coach Kaitlyn Herrera. “We lost the second and third sets, 13-25, 14-16.”