ALL-AREA: Fa’ali’i led the revived Spartans to the WAC title and the SJS semifinals

Just two years removed from a historic season, the Lathrop boys volleyball team was once again among the contenders for the Sac-Joaquin Section Division III championship this spring.

The lead was taken by sophomore Gabriel Fa’ali’i, the Manteca Bulletin MVP for all areas. The Spartans (25-6) were eventually eliminated in the semi-finals by Vanden met

Expectations from other key players for next year are likely to be high.

Lathrop reclaimed Mountain House’s throne in the Western Athletic Conference, winning all 14 league matches.

His numbers improved across the board from his productive freshman campaign, with Manteca-area players racking up 427 kills (4.8 per set). He also collected 162 digs, 62 service aces and 33 blocks.

Fa’ali’i had one of his best games in a first-round match against East Union, posting season highs of 27 kills and four blocks in the four-set victory. He also had double-doubles in the Spartans’ big WAC showdowns with Mountain House, tallying 24 kills, 15 digs, four aces and three blocks in the first meeting and 22 kills, 14 digs and three steals in the rematch, decided in five sets. .

Fa’ali’i was named conference MVP and was the only area player to make the All-Sac-Joaquin Section First Team.

Here are other top award winners, followed by the rest of the Manteca Bulletin All-Area Boys Volleyball Team:

Co-setterS of the year

Mark Bondoc, Manteca, Jr.: Manteca’s maestro earned All-Valley Oak League MVP after leading the Buffaloes to their fifth straight league title and fifth in six seasons. Bondoc paced the Buffs with 684 assists (8.2 per set) and 254 digs to go with 27 aces, 24 kills and 16 blocks.

First Standarte, Sierra, Sr.: In addition to quarterbacking the Timberwolves’ balanced attack, the versatile Estandarte contributed in all phases. He led his team with 718 assists (7.8 per set) and 63 aces, while racking up 105 kills, 54 blocks and 170 digs. Estandarte was selected for the Sacramento Breakfast Optimist Club’s 25th annual all-star event and All-SJS honorable mention.

Winger of the Year

Mason Tameling, Ripon Christian, So.:

Tameling has taken the reins of a talented core lost to graduation in 2023, and the reloaded Knights have once again dominated the Southern Athletic League. The three-sport standout earned All-SAL MVP and All-SJS honorable mention honors after collecting 323 kills (4.3 per set), 207 digs, 43 aces and 17 blocks despite a late start from basketball.

Middle Blocker of the Year

Owen Altadonna, Sierra, Jr.: One of the most efficient hitters in the state, Altadonna was voted All-VOL Most Outstanding Player and joined fellow Timberwolf Estandarte on the All-SJS honorable mention list. He recorded a hitting percentage of .428, with a total of 271 kills (3.0 per set), 77 blocks and 37 aces.

Certainlyenthusiastic specialist of the year

Charles Reyes, Lathrop, Sr.: The All-WAC first-team selection tallied 480 points, good for 25th nationally, according to statistics submitted to MaxPreps. He was also a service line weapon with 52 aces.

All areas First team: OH Alex Alvarellos, Ripon, So.; L/DS Bonpatrick Estrella, Sierra, Sr.; S/OH Anthony Gomez, Ripon, Sr.; OH Jesus Gomez, Manteca, so.; MB Aidan Patton, Manteca, Sr.; S Alexander Vere, Lathrop, Sr.

All Area Second team: O. H. Jai Aquino, East Union, Sr.; DS/L Cedrick Maglinao, Manteca, Sr.; DS/L Marquell Marshall, Ripon, Sr.; RS Marco Palomares, Lathrop, Jr.; MB Darren Van Groningen, Ripon Christian, So.; S/RS Preston Zuidervaart, Ripon Christian, Sr.