Central Valley’s boys tennis team will strive for continued success this spring under longtime coach Mike Rodriguez’s guidance. 

Brandon Moring faces the daunting task of trying to rebuild Ceres High’s program.

“This group has been around for a while,” Rodriguez said. “They all know what’s expected. We should do pretty well. We have experience.”

“I’m trying to get kids excited about tennis at Ceres High,” said Moring, who also doubles as the girls coach at his alma mater. “I want them to come out and give it a chance. They’ll have fun and make themselves better.” 

The Hawks return 11 players from last year’s team, including Ruben Hernandez (Sr.), Omar Lepe (Sr.), Lourdvic Polanes (Sr.), Willy Souksavath (Sr.), Enrique Lepe (Jr.), Jesus Hernandez (Jr.), Joaquin Pulido (Sr.), Aiden Sinlapaxay (Sr.), Jose Alvarez (Sr.), Braulio Arellano (Sr.) and Melvin Morales (Sr.).

Anantah Sivongxay (Fr.), Dylan Chauhan (Fr.) and Daren Pongbandith (Fr.) are newcomers.

Lepe advanced to the quarterfinals of the Western Athletic Conference Singles Tournament as a junior. He compiled a 4-4 record on the season.

Polanes lost in the opening round. He posted a 3-4 record against league competition.

“A lot of our guys are returners,” Rodriguez said. “Most of them have played three to four years. For the most part, we don’t have to focus too much on the basics and fundamentals. We focus more on game strategies.”

The Bulldogs’ roster features 10 players, including Eduardo Ramirez (Sr.), Noah Zamora (Sr.), Manuel Calderon (Sr.), Isaiah Gudino (Sr.), Gilbert Zamora III (So.), Serjio Gonzalez (Sr.), Ian Saldana (Sr.), Daniel Gonzalez (Sr.), Fabian Torres (Fr.) and Nicholas Diaz (Sr.).

“It’s a great group of kids,” Moring said. “The experience isn’t there but they’re working hard. They have great attitudes.”

Ramirez, Noah Zamora, Gilbert Zamora and Serjio Gonzalez helped lead Ceres High’s boys soccer team to a 16-6-1 overall record, first-place finish in the Western Athletic Conference standings and berth to the Sac-Joaquin Section Division-III playoffs this past winter.

“They’re in shape,” Moring said. “They move well. They have good footwork. They understand what it takes to be successful.”

Central Valley amassed a 6-4 record en route to a third-place finish in the WAC South Division standings during the 2021 COVID-shortened season.

The Hawks will compete in the Central California Conference this year. Central Valley previously spent the 2020 and 2019 seasons in the CCC.

“The tennis is better overall compared to the WAC,” Rodriguez said. 

The Hawks’ conference schedule includes matches versus Patterson, Livingston, Merced, Golden Valley, El Capitan, Buhach Colony and Atwater.

Central Valley made its first-ever postseason appearance in 2014 and earned a return trip to the playoffs in 2015.

“We’ll have a good chance at finishing in the top three in league,” Rodriguez said.

Ceres High didn’t field a boys tennis team last spring because of a lack of interest.

The Bulldogs won two of four conference matches before the 2020 spring sports season was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Ceres High’s 2022 conference schedule includes matches against Beyer, Grace Davis, Johansen, Lathrop, Los Banos, Pacheco and Mountain.

Team success will elude Ceres High because of its lack of numbers.

“We don’t have a full lineup,” Moring said.

“I’m not concerned about wins and losses,” he added. “The goal is to improve.”