Bruin spikers played hard against two tough teams even though they ended up losing both home games.

The Riverbank High School varsity volleyball team fell to Hughson by 27-25, 25-16, 25-23 on Tuesday and lost to Ripon at 25-16, 25-14, 25-13 on Thursday.

"We did well against Hughson, especially in the first game," said Bruin coach Lisa Mila. "We came out strong and kept the pressure up. We did a lot of good things and played together as a team."

In individual statistics, Julissa Perez made seven kills and 10 digs, setter Amber Nickles contributed 19 assists, and Courtney Brock and Monica Cardenas hit two aces each.

In Thursday's match, the unbeaten Ripon team triumphed by 25-16, 25-14, 25-13.

"It was the same against Ripon. We were right up there with them. Even their coach praised us. The score does not reflect the closeness of the game," commented Mila.

Kelly Clancey hit four kills and three aces, Nickles put up 10 assists, and Cardenas also hit three aces. Brock contributed two blocks, and Perez scooped up six digs.

This week, the Bruins faced Patterson on Tuesday and they will take on Hilmar at home on Thursday.