Pitman High’s boys volleyball team completed its inaugural season with a trip to the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs and had six players receive recognition by the Central California Athletic League.

The Pride, the third-place team out of the CCAL behind Enochs and Modesto, wrapped up the season on May 2 with a 25-8, 25-20, 25-15 loss to Folsom, the No. 3 seed in the Division I tournament, which faced No. 2 Whitney (Rocklin) in the semifinals Tuesday.

The Pride were mentored by girls coach Kristen Pontes-Christian, one of the most successful coaches in the section.

“It was a lot of fun,” said Pontes-Christian, who has led the PHS girls to three section championships. “Going into the season, there were no expectations. I thought it was going to be stress free. I was totally wrong. I pretty quickly realized the boys had so much potential and they could improve so much … and that put me back in full competitive mode. So while it wasn’t stress free, it was super fun and it was amazing to see their growth.”

Individually for Pitman, middle blocker Seth Vink was named the CCAL Defensive Player of the Year, in addition to being a first-team honoree. Simer Deep was named the league’s Setter of the Year, and also was named to the league’s first-team.

Vink and Deep were joined on the CCAL’s first team by outside hitter David Garcia and libero Param Gill. 

Outside hitter/right side Dominick Harper was selected to the CCAL’s second team, in addition to being voted as Pitman’s most inspirational player, while defensive specialist Tristan Fuentes was an honorable mention and tabbed as the Pride’s most improved player over the course of the season.

Enochs’ Matthew Suico and Modesto’s Cole Rogers were named co-MVPs of the league, while Enochs middle blocker Francis Gates was selected the loop’s Offensive Player of the Year.

Three set to play in SJS Masters tournament

Three local golfers are headed to the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters meet, to be held Monday at The Reserve at Spanos Park in Stockton.

Turlock High’s Clark Van Gaalen and Christian Maggard, along with Denair’s Ethan Gonsalves qualified during divisional play the past Monday.

Van Gaalen and Maggard carded matching even-par 71s at the Division II tournament at River Oaks Golf Club in Nicolaus, while Gonsalves finished with a 2-over 73 in the Division VI tourney at The Ridge Golf Course in Auburn.

Gonsalves’ started his round with seven consecutive pars before a pair of birdies on 8 and 9. He played the back in 4-over.

“It was a little more difficult to find landing spots on the back nine,” said Gonsalves, a 5-foot-9, 150-pound junior who also qualified for the Masters as a sophomore. “It was my first time seeing the course. It’s very long and narrow, and pretty challenging. It fit my game really well. It plays to the exact style that I like to play.”

All three golfers have played at the Reserve before. Gonsalves’ best round there is a 76.

“I know I can go lower,” said Gonsalves.

Curtain falls on Turlock High swim season

Four boys and two girls competed for Turlock High at the Sac-Joaquin Section Swimming and Diving finals, held last Friday in Elk Grove.

For the girls, Kaylee Amarant was 13th in the 100-yard freestyle (54.49 seconds) and 16th in the 200 free (1:59.76). Teammate Abigail Braley was 32nd in the 200 free (2:06.55).

For the boys, Cohen Harris was the long individual competitor, taking 18th in the 100 breaststroke (1:00.24). Harris teammates with Henry Nitschke, Mitchell Clark and Sam Stempson in three relay races.

The quartet took 18th in the 400 free relay (3:354.43), 21st in the 200 free relay (1:35.23) and 24th in the 200 medley relay (1:49.82).