Central Valley’s girls tennis team has enjoyed a successful return to the Western Athletic Conference.

The Hawks improved to 4-1 overall and 3-0 versus WAC competition this past week after topping Livingston and Beyer.

Central Valley previously competed in the Central California Conference prior to moving to the WAC as part of the Sac-Joaquin Section’s league realignment plan for the 2024-25 school year.

“Any time you win, wherever it is, it feels good,” Hawks’ head coach Nimrat Chahal said. “The CCC definitely prepared us for the WAC. It has a lot of very, good tennis programs. They’re known for continued success.”

Central Valley took over sole possession of first place in the WAC following Wednesday’s 7-2 home victory over previously-unbeaten Livingston.

The Hawks lost twice to the Wolves last season.

“It’s still early in league,” Chahal said. “We still have to play three more teams, including Johansen, Lathrop and Pacheco. Once we play them, we’ll have an idea of how good we are and where we stand.”

Central Valley won all six singles and one of three doubles matches versus Livingston.

Aleena Higle prevailed, 6-2, 7-5, in No. 1 singles play.

Mikalynne Tapia prevailed, 6-3, 6-3, in No. 2 singles play.

Aaliyah Jauregui prevailed, 6-1, 6-0, in No. 3 singles play.

Jasleen Kaur prevailed, 7-6, 6-1, in No. 4 singles play.

Lizeth Cazarez Perez prevailed, 6-2, 6-1, in No. 5 singles play.

Harkiran Sandhu prevailed, 7-6, 6-1, in No. 6 singles play.

Melanie Chavez and Ilyana Vidal prevailed, 6-2, 6-3, in No. 2 doubles play.

“The matches were competitive,” Chahal said. “It wasn’t a walk in the park. Our girls competed hard.

Central Valley bested Beyer 6-3 on Sept. 9 in Modesto.

The Hawks won all three doubles and three of six singles matches against the Patriots.

“Watching the matches, I felt confident,” Chahal said. “We played well. We were able to win. It was a tough match. Our girls stepped up. I have no complaints.”

Chavez and Valeria Sanchez Luna prevailed, 6-3, 6-2, in No. 1 doubles play.

Genesis Velazquez Pedraza and Roxana Orozco prevailed, 6-3, 6-4, in No. 2 doubles play.

Agam Sandhu and Selena Cubillo prevailed, 6-4, 6-3, in No. 3 doubles play.

Kaur prevailed, 6-2, 2-6, 6-2, in No. 3 singles play.

Harkiran Sandhu prevailed, 6-3, 6-0, in No 5 singles play.

Valerie Espinoza prevailed, 6-1, 6-2, in No. 6 singles play.

Central Valley will look to continue its winning ways this week.

“We feel we’re in a good position right now,” Chahal said. “Our team is playing better. They’re playing like they should.”

“Experience in tennis goes a long way,” he added. “We have a lot of returners. Last year was a building year. Every coach wants to have a chance at winning. Going into every match, you should have the mentality you’re going to win. But you have to prove it.”

FLAG FOOTBALL

Central Valley’s and Ceres High’s girls flag football programs both won one of two games during the opening week of Western Athletic Conference play.

“They have grown so much as a team,” Hawks’ head coach Tony Cordova said. “They’re experienced, now. They understand how the game is played. They have each other’s backs.”

“We have a bunch of great athletes,” Bulldogs’ leader Curtis Hulstine said. “Once we start playing together, we’ll play a lot better.”

Central Valley opened WAC play with a 36-6 win over Grace Davis on Sept. 9 at Johansen High School.

“Once they get over the nerves, they take off,” Cordova said. 

The winless Spartans (0-5, 0-2) challenged the Hawks early in the game.

“Everything was flowing well after the first 10 minutes,” Cordova said. “Everybody calmed down and was focused.”

Central Valley seized the momentum late in the opening half when Damaris Cisneros returned an interception 20 yards for a touchdown.

“It was a huge spark for the whole team,” Cordova said. “It calmed everybody down.”

The Hawks racked up 342 yards of total offense versus the Spartans.

Quarterback Brianna Espinoza threw for 168 yards and four touchdowns while completing 11 passes.

Freshman Ayleen Apreza rushed for 68 yards on six carries and grabbed two passes for 63 yards.

Alicia Espinoza caught two passes for 27 yards and one touchdown.

Jocelyn Rivera caught one pass for 27 yards and one touchdown.

Rudy Medina caught one pass for 15 yards and one touchdown.

Destiny Herrera caught one pass for 10 yards and one touchdown.

Eliana Tamayo ran for 67 yards on four carries.

Cisneros had an interception-return touchdown and one pass deflection on defense.

Madelyn Mastropierro had five tackles and one pass deflection.

Mia Mendoza had one tackle and one interception.

Elia Hernandez had one interception.

Central Valley lost 25-14 to Pacheco on Wednesday at Bulldog Stadium.

The Hawks competed shorthanded as quarterback Brianna Espinoza exited the game after tweaking her left elbow in the first half.

“It threw a monkey wrench into everything,” Cordova said. “We had to change strategy and go with a different QB. It didn’t work out. We’re going to hold Brianna out until we can get her healthy.”

Central Valley had 231 yards of total offense versus Pacheco, including 218 through the air.

Brianna Espinoza threw for 40 yards.

Backup quarterback Elia Hernandez passed for 178 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.

Freshman Ayleen Apreza caught five passes for 90 yards and one touchdown.

She rushed for 13 yards on two carries.

She also had a 2-point conversion.

Medina totaled 25 yards and one touchdown on two receptions.

Rivera (1-5), Alicia Espinoza (3-52) and Alicia Torres (3-46) also caught passes.

Hernandez tallied four tackles and one sack on defense.

Rivera had one interception.

Alicia Espinoza added three tackles.

Mendoza had six tackles and two pass deflections.

Dulce Del Valle had two tackles and one sack.

Giana Breshears had six tackles.

Central Valley dropped to 2-7 on the year.

Pacheco improved to 6-6 overall and 1-1 in the WAC.

Ceres High improved to 4-5 overall and 1-1 in the WAC following Wednesday’s 26-0 shutout of host Johansen.

The Vikings dropped to 0-2 on the season and 0-2 in league play.

“When we play as a team, that’s what we’re capable of,” Hulstine said.

Ceres High opened the WAC portion of its schedule with a 25-0 road loss to undefeated Livingston on Sept. 9.

The Wolves (12-0, 2-0) kept their perfect record intact.

“It’s no secret how good Livingston is,” Hulstine said. “They didn’t lose many kids from last year.”

“Obviously, I was expecting a more competitive game,” he added.

Ceres High has an all-time record of 2-2 versus Livingston.

The Bulldogs beat the Wolves twice en route to claiming the WAC championship a season ago.

Livingston topped Ceres High last week and 33-14 at the Merced Tournament on Aug. 24.

“We always have a fun time playing them,” Hulstine said. “There’s definitely a friendly rivalry. We get along great.”

CLUB WRESTLING

The Ceres Pups Wrestling Club is gearing up for the 2024-25 Folkstyle season.

Signups will be staged at the organization’s training facility, which is located at 3037 Fifth Street in downtown Ceres, this Sunday and next Tuesday.

“We’ll have a solid team of at least 50 total wrestlers,” said Steve Festa, president and founder of the Pups. “We just keep growing.”

Enrollment for male and female wrestlers, aged 6-14, will take place from 10-11 a.m. on Sept. 22 and from 6-7 p.m. on Sept. 24.

Cost is $100.

Each wrestler will receive a Pups shirt and shorts.

The signup fee will also cover first month’s dues in October.

Membership dues are $50 per month for the remainder of the season, which runs through March.

“We’re introducing the sport to a lot of young wrestlers,” Festa said. “We’re getting them ready for junior high and high school.”

Ceres’ four main coaches are Tony Ormonde, Mark Kangas, Jake Whittenburg and Adam Zuniga.

Ormonde (head coach) and Kangas (assistant head coach) work with the Pups’ advanced wrestlers.

Whittenburg (head coach) and Zuniga (assistant head coach) work with Ceres’ beginner grapplers.

“All the coaches are volunteering their time,” Festa said. “We’re all volunteers. Ceres Pups is a non-profit.”

Training sessions will be staged on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays during the course of the season.

Ceres’ first practice is Oct. 7.

Advanced wrestlers train from 6-7:30 p.m.

Beginners train from 5-6 p.m.

For more information, visit cerespups.org.