Senior volleyball players combine last season with lasting legacy

By ELISE DELEON
The Tower

No more sound in the room. The field is filled with the varsity volleyball players celebrating their senior night, and yet, time is suspended. The emotions are floating in the air and coach JR Kanemura’s voice resonates in the room.  

“This team was a light in the dark,” said Kanemura.

On Friday, April 10, Anthony Abello, Raclif Figueroa, Jesus Gomez and Rob Hevener played East Union for the last regular-season home game.

With a sweep of the rival Lancers, Manteca High took one more step towards what they hope will be the culmination of all this work: Being VOL champion for a third year in a row.  

“This is a special group of seniors. The camaraderie goes way beyond the volleyball court,” said coach Jennifer Reis. 

Winning more than 20 games in each of the last three years, this year’s team ranks among the best in the region. Manteca is a two-time defending VOL champion that no longer searches for the stars. They have found them well and will still aim for them this season.  

This year, four seniors play pivotal roles on the team: Jesus Gomez, Rob Hevener, Raclif Figueroa, and Anthony Abello. Every senior has contributed a special part to the program, and the coaching staff took a moment before Friday’s match to thank each of them for their unique contributions.

An opposite hitter, Reis said Abello is an essential link for this team. Though Abello’s stats are modesto - 12 kills, two blocks and six digs on the season - his importance to the team and its culture is immense.

 “Anthony is the best teammate. He is very thoughtful, always noticing little things and helping everyone. He is a very loyal teammate and friend,” said Reis. 

A budding content creator whose camera has captured many of the school’s best moments over the last three years, Figueroa, a back-row defender, is this flame of joy that changes everything. Figueroa has 13 aces and 44 digs.

“Clif has that super high energy. He loves volleyball and his hype is just contagious to all of us. It is just awesome,” Reis said. 

Hevener, a middle blocker, always enters the court with determination and a huge passion for his sport. The tallest Buffalo, Hevener ranks in the top-10 for the Sac-Joaquin Section with 167 kills and leads the Valley Oak League in blocks with 53.

“Rob is obviously a huge power on the court. He is a really good middle-blocker and dominates everything he does. Rob brings a little extra fire to our team,” Reis said.

Jesus Gomez, outside hitter, has this little extra thing on the field as in life that brings people together. Gomez is one the most feared hitters in Division II and ranks in the top-three in the VOL with 188 kills.

“It is hard to put words on what Jesus has meant to this program. He’s probably the best outside hitter that’s come through our men’s program. He is just such a quality person and has really set the tone for our program,” Reis said. 

More than just volleyball players, these student-athletes are willing to fight for their team and for their school.  

“We truly want to win the league this year. We are Manteca; we have to keep winning no matter what,” Gomez said.

This season, Manteca Buffaloes are confident. Returning to the top of the VOL is far from impossible.

“We got one more hard game against Mountain House that we have to win. There’s a lot of pressure, but it makes it a lot more fun to play,” Hevener said.

Confident and proud of her team, it is with a big smile on her lips that Reis watched the game. With the wave of momentum at the start, Manteca rolled East Union in the first game, 25-15, and never looked back. Gomez had nine kills and three digs, despite playing with his left hand wrapped in foam that protects a broken finger. Hevener had four kills and three blocks. Figueroa had eight service points and five digs, while Abello had three kills and two blocks.

“They have set the tone for our program. Winning is wonderful but what you learn and who you meet in the journey is what matters the most,” Reis said. “Those kids thought me things that I will never forget.”