Ceres High’s and Central Valley’s girls volleyball programs had a combined eight players earn all-league honors during the Western Athletic Conference’s year-end head coaches’ meeting earlier this month in Ceres.

Genesis Sio, Riley Gaskill, Kamea Brown and Priya Martinez were recognized for outstanding individual play this fall.

They filled key roles with the Bulldogs, who finished fifth in the WAC standings with a 6-8 record.

“It was good to see that,” Ceres High leader Kelly Heese said. “There was a lot of growth. I’m excited to see what next year brings.”

Sio, a junior outside hitter, was named to the WAC First Team.

“She played a really, big role on our team,” Heese said. “She was an all-round player. She improved in everything throughout the season with her hitting and placing the ball where she wanted on the court.”

Gaskill, a sophomore, and Brown, a freshman, were both named to the WAC Second Team.

Gaskill contributed at outside hitter.

“She was most improved out of everybody. She was a team player. She grew as an all-round athlete. She found her confidence.”

Brown logged playing time at libero.

“It was not her main position. She stepped right in and got the job done. I greatly appreciate she did that.”

Brown was Ceres High’s most versatile player.

“She was a great asset to our team. She’s very knowledgeable of the game. She can play any position you ask her to play.”

Martinez, a sophomore setter, was an honorable-mention selection.

She also filled the role of being a team captain.

“She has a lot to offer. She’s a phenomenal athlete. She has amazing hands. She reads the court well. She has a consistent serve.”

Marion Dennison, Julyanna Valencia, Gabriela Delatorre and Payton McConnell filled key roles with the Hawks, who placed sixth in the WAC with a 5-9 mark.

Dennison and Valencia were both named to the WAC Second Team.

Dennison, a senior middle hitter, had 74 kills, 47 aces, 27 digs, five blocks and four assists.

She ranked first on the team in kills and aces, second in blocks, sixth in assists and seventh in digs.

Valencia, a senior libero/defensive specialist, had 171 digs, 20 assists and nine aces.

She ranked first on the team in digs, second in assists and sixth in aces.

Delatorre and McConnell were honorable-mention picks.

Delatorre, a junior setter, had 140 assists, 111 digs, 38 kills, 38 aces and three blocks.

She ranked first on the team in assists, second in aces and digs, third in kills and fourth in blocks.

McConnell, a junior outside hitter, had 100 digs, 42 kills, 26 aces, 12 assists and four blocks.

She ranked second on the team in kills, and third in aces, assists, blocks and digs.