Student athletes of both the varsity girls volleyball team and the varsity football team were honored at their last home games last week.
And the girls added to their celebration with a three-game sweep in the Trans-Valley League contest against Modesto Christian High School, on Wednesday, Oct. 19.
Lady Bruin Volleyball
The girls team kicked off their evening with the Boosters Club helping recognize the three seniors and their families, just ahead of the first serve. To add to the festivities, they swept the visiting Lady Crusaders in three straight games, taking the match 25-9, 25-18, and 25-7, for the Trans-Valley League win.
Senior Recognition Night is a celebration organized by the Riverbank Boosters Club, usually held at the final home game of the season, and is a long-standing tradition.
Those honored prior to the match included Chiara Dalmasso, a Foreign Exchange student from Italy, Mia Vidal, and Kianna Vega.
This game closed out the girls’ 2022 volleyball season.
Bruin Football
Just two days later, on Friday, Oct. 21, the varsity football team would similarly celebrate its seniors and their families, along with senior cheerleaders, just before the kickoff against the visiting Wolves from Livingston.
Fifteen football seniors, three cheerleaders, and their families were introduced before the start of the game. The three cheer squad members took a little time at the end of their halftime routine to perform a little solo workout.
Among the many footballers graduating, No. 24, Roberto Dagnano is also a Foreign Exchange student, from Italy.
The high spirits continued for local fans as Riverbank was the first on the scoreboard, in the first quarter. Toward the end of the period, the Bruins had completed a drive that brought them close to the end zone, but a penalty brought them a bit farther away.
After several attempts at scoring a touchdown, they settled for a field goal, kicked by lineman Josue Ulloa. Riverbank was ahead, 3-0, after one quarter, and down just 7-3 at the half.
That score remained after three quarters, but the Wolves were able to score three more times in the fourth, ending on top in the league contest, 27-3. A final high spot for the Bruins was a blocked point after attempt, knocked down by senior Richard Torrez.
The Bruins will finish out their 2022 season on the road this week, at Hilmar, on Friday, Oct. 28.
Co-Ed Cross Country
Riverbank runners were to participate in the Trans-Valley League Championship on Wednesday, Oct. 26, hoping to continue on to the Sub-Sections next week and the Section Championship after that.
Girls Golf
Lady Bruin golfers were to compete in the Division V finals on Monday this week, with the potential for team or individual advancement to the Masters Tournament on Monday, Oct. 31.
Winter Sports
Athletes participating in the 2022-23 winter sports season will be able to start practicing on Oct. 31, after about three weeks of dead time, where they’re only allowed to weight train and condition, according to California Interscholastic Federation rules.
Games for boys and girls soccer and boys and girls basketball won’t be starting until the middle of November this year.
