She’s back: Talented Tuuga returns for playoff volleyball
Manteca High volleyball players Taimane Tuuga (right), Saniyah Anthony and Nicole Ayala get ready for a serve at Oakdale High School on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024. (Gael Juarez/The Tower)
By MAAVA TIALAVEA
The Tower
On May 26th, outside hitter Taimane Tuuga’s dreams of playing volleyball flashed before her eyes.
The Manteca High sophomore was playing volleyball for Delta Valley’s volleyball club, and as her opponents soared through the air, Taimane jumped up to stuff her opponent’s spike. As her opponent swings, she kicks Tuuga in her knee, tearing the ligaments. The opponent breaks through Tuuga’s block but hits it out of the court. Tuuga finishes the game but that only worsens the tears forming in her knee.
Five months later, Tuuga is back on the court. Her sophomore season had been stalled due to the knee injury to her patella. Since the incident, she’s been doing everything she possibly could to get back on the court. Tuuga had six weeks of rehab and also saw a physical therapist to improve her strength and mobility.
With her return, Manteca volleyball team, which will open the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs on the road, gains another multi-sport athlete.
Manteca High volleyball players Taimane Tuuga (left) and Trinity Todd go up for a block at Oakdale high school on Tuesday, October 22, 2024. (Gael Juarez/The Tower)
“I want to show myself,” Tuuga said ahead of her season debut at Oakdale High on Oct. 22.
Tuuga is a two-sport varsity athlete.
She has been on varsity for volleyball and basketball since freshman year and showed stellar performances at a high level for both teams. Now she’s faced with the challenge of overcoming her knee trauma and this time, help repair her team’s record. With a win against Oakdale on Oct. 22, Manteca moved one step closer.
The Buffaloes travel to El Capitan of Merced on Tuesday, Oct. 29, for its playoff opener. The match starts at 6 p.m.
“The whole season we’ve been excited,” Manteca coach Robin Chandler said, “and it’s what we’ve been anticipating.”
Tuuga had an astonishing performance against the Mustangs, finishing out her season debut with 16 kills, nine aces, 14 digs and a dominating six-point service run in the last set to secure the win.
Tuuga started her first match back as the team’s outside hitter and was the favorite target. When they needed a key point or were in a pinch, setter Riley Ward sent the pass her way. Her knee appeared strong and healthy. Tuuga bounced off the floor with ease, driving the ball into the opposite floor.
“I coached her in club and high school, so to see her really take her time on her serves,” Chandler said. “We always knew she had it in her but to finally see it happen, we’re all very proud of her.”
With a loss against Mountain House on Oct. 15, Manteca got its revenge on Thursday with a 3-0 sweep. Tuuga had another roaring performance with 13 kills, eight digs, and 16 service points with five aces.