Clovis East outlasts Central for third-straight TRAC win

Raven Moua and Drew Peters rise from the floor to challenge Central at the net during the their third-set victory, 25-23. NUGESSE GHEBRENDRIAS/THE CLOVIS ROUNDUP

The Timberwolves volleyball team has shown the Tri-River Athletic Conference that not only are they trending towards the top spot in the conference, but they are more than capable of winning it all.

After big wins over Clovis West and Buchanan in recent weeks, the Wolfpack are showing what they’re made of, but Clovis East head coach Marcos Orro wasn’t satisfied with the performance and thinks the team can improve for the better.

“I have to be honest with you, we didn’t play very well today. We are missing some good players, but I think we still have a solid team. I give them credit for giving a good effort and a good fight, but I don’t think we played a good game today.”

The Timberwolves and Grizzlies were engaged a fight that lasted the full five sets. After dropping the first set 25-20, Clovis East rebounded to win set two and three, 25-21 and 25-23.  

Clovis East had the momentum on its side, due to strong performances from Drew Peters, Timmy Keaobupha and Lang Thao, but succumbed to the Grizzlies’ run in the fourth set. The home team erased a five-point deficit, to come back and win the fourth set 25-23.

Among Central’s strengths, its length and athletic ability in front of the net forced Clovis East to adjust its attempts, allowing the Grizzlies to take control late.

“I think Central tried to keep the ball in play and minimize errors. They tried not to give points away, which is a smart thing to do,” Orro said on his opposition. “You just keep the ball inbounds and let the other team make the mistakes and it seemed like we were the ones making the mistakes.”

Despite the uneven performance on the court, the Wolfpack relied on each other to grind out a team win. They overcame a rocky start in the final fifth set, to win 15-13.  With a 21-4 record overall and a 3-2 record in the TRAC, the Timberwolves can move forward with the victory, but can also sharpen their claws for their next battle.

“I think we took three steps forward and two steps back in the last couple of games. We played really well against Clovis West and well against Buchanan, due to some injuries, but if we tighten up our game, minimize our mistakes and replace some of the guys we are missing, I think we can compete with anybody,” Orro said.

The Timberwolves’ toughest test of the season faces them next as the undefeated Clovis North Broncos (26-0) come to Clovis East. The matchup will pit two top-three teams in the TRAC against each other.

For the past three years, Nugesse has been a vital part of the Madera Tribune covering sports, news, entertainment and feature writing. Nugesse’s ability to interact with the community allows him to promote students, athletes and community members with fairness and objectivity. We are happy to have Nugesse join our team here at the Clovis Roundup.