Central Valley’s girls volleyball program has experienced a major turnaround from a season ago.
Ceres High’s team has improved during a rebuilding year.
“The dynamics of the team have really changed,” Bulldogs’ head coach Kelly Heese said. “The chemistry is better. They’re figuring things out.”
The Hawks moved to 5-7 overall and 2-4 in the Western Athletic Conference this past week after winning one of two matches.
Central Valley finished 1-22 and last in the Central California Conference with an 0-12 mark in 2023.
The Hawks relocated from the CCC to the WAC as part of the Sac-Joaquin Section’s league realignment plan.
Central Valley held on for a 3-1 (25-9, 25-18, 22-25, 31-29) victory while battling Johansen on Sept. 23 in Modesto.
Julyanna Valencia had 19 digs, one ace and one assist.
Gabriela Delatorre had 13 assists, five digs, three aces and one kill.
Sofia Garibay had 11 digs, three aces, one kill and one assist.
Central Valley lost 3-0 (25-13, 25-10, 25-17) to Lathrop on Sept. 25 in Ceres.
Valencia had eight digs.
Marion Dennison had six digs, two kills, one block, one ace and one dig.
Garibay had six digs, two kills and one assist.
Ceres High dropped to 3-7 overall and 2-4 in the WAC following last Wednesday’s 3-0 loss at Beyer.
The Bulldogs led 5-0 during the second set before the Patriots rallied.
“Beyer has a really solid team,” Heese said. “I thought we competed very well. I’m happy with how we played. We have a young team. This is going to be a rebuilding year.”
Ceres High lost 3-0 at Grace Davis on Sept. 23.
“Davis has put a lot of work into their program,” Heese said. “There’s definitely a difference in the level of their play this season compared to last year.”
The Bulldogs never recovered after dropping the first set 25-8 to the Spartans.
“We should have competed differently,” Heese said. “Hopefully, the second time around we will.”
FLAG FOOTBALL
Ceres High’s girls flag football team improved to 7-6 overall and 4-2 in the Western Athletic Conference after notching shutout victories of 28-0 versus Beyer on Sept. 25 and 46-0 against Grace Davis on Sept. 23 at Bulldog Stadium.
Center Kylie Bond caught her first touchdown pass during Ceres High’s win over Beyer.
Central Valley moved to 4-9 overall and 3-3 in the WAC standings after topping Johansen 36-0 on Sept. 23 in Modesto and falling 33-0 at Lathrop on Sept. 25.
Hawk freshman quarterback Addisyn Prudhel completed 12 of 18 passes for 116 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions versus Johansen.
Freshman Ayleen Apreza caught five passes for 39 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 31 yards on three carries.
Jocelyn Rivera caught one pass for 25 yards and one touchdown.
GIRLS TENNIS
A year removed from finishing in seventh place in the Central California Conference with a 2-12 record, Central Valley’s girls tennis team has dominated this fall while competing in the Western Athletic Conference.
“I think experience plays a big role in our success this year,” head coach Nimrat Chahal said. “We brought back 10 returners from last year’s team. I also think the team chemistry is very good which allows the players to be comfortable and learn in a setting where they are not afraid to make mistakes.”
The Hawks won all six of their matches during the first half of the WAC season.
