The anticipation for the matchup between Turlock and Buhach Colony High varsity volleyball teams was steadily building as the days carried into this week’s first league meeting of the season.
The Bulldogs played hosts to the Thunder, and managed to handle them in a straight sets sweep that gave Turlock its fifth straight Central California Conference victory of the season after a 3-0 win (25-16, 25-18 and 25-6).
“I was just pleased with the outcome. They played well and were executing everywhere we asked them to, working hard and gearing up,” said Turlock head coach Amber Lugo.
Turlock improves to 14-3 overall and 5-0 in the CCC.
The Bulldogs are currently ranked No. 18 in California and 136 in the nation, according to maxpreps.com.
Turlock was coming off a few games where they were missing a starter.
“Three matches Jadyn (Tubbs) was out, so first day of practice from being back and first game back against Buhach, so took some getting used to and gelling again,” said Lugo about her team’s early adjustments.
It wasn’t an easy start for Turlock, as BC went up 5-3 in the first.
The Bulldogs managed to work their way up and eventually cruised through a nine-point win at 25-16 to open up the game.
In the second set, BC came back and gave Turlock all they could, ending with the closest set of the night.
Turlock gave up the lead just once before they closed out the second with a 7-4 run to end it 25-18.
The Bulldogs also took advantage of their incredible serving and it carried into the third set.
It was a lopsided set in the third as Turlock took a big lead and never let it go, winning by 19 points to secure the sweep.
They ended the game with 17 aces served and just seven serving errors committed.
Turlock’s Isabella Bush had a team-high 10 kills, while the team finished with 45 total digs.
Kennedy Folly of Turlock added a game-high 10 aces and added 12 digs. Jazmyn Tubbs finished with 11 digs and seven kills.
“Kennedy and her serving was amazing and Bella was on fire. Everyone was just firing, so it was good and I was pleased,” said Lugo.
With this win, Turlock has toppled Buhach in seven of its last eight meetings.
“We are going in never underestimating anybody and we want to play our hearts out,” Lugo added.
Turlock’s next CCC contest will be at Pitman against the Pride at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
