Head coach Stephen Dias will rely on a wealth of talent and experience this fall as Ceres High’s girls water polo team battles for a Sac-Joaquin Section playoff berth.
Ceres High’s youth-laden boys water polo team will strive for improvement under new leader Angelique Huerta’s guidance.
“I have the same expectations every year,” Dias said. “I want them to give me their best every game.”
“As far as expectations for the season, I didn’t have too many since this is my first year coaching this team and it’s a majority of the players’ first year as well,” Huerta said. “I’m still getting to know my players but so far I do see them becoming a stronger team later in the season. Regardless of wins or losses, I think this season is going to be a great one.”
Ceres High’s girls program returns 11 players from a year ago, including Evelin Aguirre (Sr.), Lilly Blevins (Sr.), Mikaela Canchola (Sr.), Kaylie Clindaniel (Sr.), Kimberly Flores (Sr.), Haley Gaskill (Sr.), Makynzie Hale (Sr.), Amber Hopwood (Sr.), Arleth Sanchez (Sr.), Eva Onsurez (Jr.) and Jessie Blevins (So.).
Aguirre, Canchola and Flores competed at the junior-varsity level a season ago.
The Bulldogs have two newcomers in Isla Hore (Sr.) and Marie Cadriel (Jr.).
Hore is a foreign-exchange student from England.
Cadriel transferred from Modesto High.
Ceres High lost no players to graduation.
“We have a lot of seniors that are experienced,” Dias said. “My team never stops fighting. They don’t give up. They play well together.”
Hopwood and Lilly Blevins have been named team captains for the 2023 campaign.
“They were captains last year,” Dias said. “They did a great job. They know the game.”
Jessie Blevins didn’t fill the stat sheet freshman year but played a vital role as Ceres High’s top defensive player.
She was named to the Western Athletic Conference Second Team.
Jessie Blevins scored nine goals.
Clindaniel and Hopwood were both WAC honorable-mention picks.
Clindaniel led the Bulldogs in scoring with 32 goals.
Hopwood had 21 goals.
Lilly Blevins was named Team MVP during Ceres High’s banquet.
She ranked second on the team in scoring with 30 goals.
Sanchez totaled 106 blocks at goalkeeper.
The Bulldogs had their playoff hopes dashed late in the 2022 season.
Ceres High dropped out of contention after losing to Mountain House and Los Banos.
The Bulldogs amassed a 6-8 record en route to a sixth-place finish in the WAC standings.
The WAC’s top three teams qualified for the postseason, including Grace Davis, Beyer and Los Banos.
Dias has led Ceres High to five playoff appearances (2012, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019) during his coaching tenure.
The Bulldogs claimed their last conference championship, the WAC South title, during the 2020-21 school year.
“We have a lot of seniors with experience,” Dias said. “I think we can finish in the top three. Win or lose, you always play with honor.”
Ceres High’s boys program returns six players from last year’s team, including Jesus Madrigal (Sr.), Isaac Camorlinga (Jr.), Mateo Gonzalez (Jr.), Miles Cabling (So.), Eli Farinha (So.) and Abel Samaniego (So.).
Logan Butler and Evan Letras opted not to play this season.
Zion Wesir was lost to graduation.
Nine newcomers round of the Bulldogs’ roster: Shawn Janis (Sr.), Jesus Valdovinos (Sr.), Von Tigner (Jr.), Aiden Cisneros (Fr.), Julian Hernandez (Fr.), Jackson Kidd (Fr.), Rowan Ramirez (Fr.), Elijah Rodriguez (Fr.) and Jesus Sanchez (Fr.)
Samaniego and Tigner have been named captains.
Huerta likes the makeup of her team.
“No matter the situation, game or practice, they are always ready to work and are always looking for areas to improve,” she said.
Ceres High compiled an 0-14 record en route to a last-place finish in the 2022 WAC standings.
Grace Davis, Beyer and Los Banos took first, second and third, respectively.
The Bulldogs have nowhere to go but up this fall.
“They know anything they do in practice or a game will help make them stronger players even if it doesn’t result in wins or scores,” Huerta said.
Ceres High secured its last playoff berth in boys water polo under Bill Campbell’s guidance in 2017.
Huerta, a 2021 CHS grad and former Bulldogs’ girls water polo player, replaced Derek Wach.
She suited up for Ceres High’s WAC South championship team.
Huerta also wrestled.
