Julio Madrigal has been hired to rebuild Central Valley’s boys volleyball program.

The Hawks will strive for growth this spring and in the future.

“Ultimately, we want to win and make playoffs,” Madrigal said. “But our goal is to create something that lasts. We’re building a program.”

The Hawks have a 15-person roster.

David Luna (Sr.), Sebastian Pelayo (Sr.), Garrett Akiona (Jr.) and David Alvarez (Jr.) returned to the team.

Karandeep Singh (Sr.), Ricardo Roa Barragan (Jr.), Diego Mendoza Camparan (Jr.), Nicolas Garcia (Jr.), Dominic Gudino (Jr.), Sergio Molina (Jr.), Isaias Quijano (Jr.), Pablo Serafin (Jr.), Nathan Vang (Jr.), Elias Espinoza (Fr.) and Zachary Silva (Fr.) are newcomers.

Roa Barragan, Mendoza Camparan, Garcia, Gudino, Molina, Quijano, Serafin and Vang competed at the JV level a season ago. 

Andrew Dong, Sahibjot Deol, Sergio Ayala, Julien Ziqueiros, Charles Nguyen and Wasu Yang were lost to graduation.

Madrigal had to cut 25 players during tryouts.

“Each player had to sign a student-athlete code of conduct,” Madrigal said. “The parents had to sign it as well. I want to make sure my players represent themselves, their families and their school in a respectful, positive way. They’re student athletes. We’re going to hold ourselves accountable on and off the court. The team comes before the player. Playing time is not given. It’s earned.”

Luna and Akiona are team captains.

“They eat, live and breathe volleyball,” Madrigal said. 

“Team captains are a branch of a coach,” he added. “If done correctly, it can be very effective. You have to give them enough responsibility but not too much.”

Central Valley will compete in the new-look Western Athletic Conference beginning this season, along with Ceres High, Beyer, Grace Davis, Johansen, Pacheco, Lathrop and Livingston.

The Hawks moved from the Central California Conference to the WAC as part of the Sac-Joaquin Section’s league realignment plan.

Livingston previously competed in the Trans Valley League.

Former WAC teams Los Banos and Mountain House departed for the CCC and Valley Oak League, respectively.

“There’s great competition,” Madrigal stated. “We’re going against schools that have established programs.”

Central Valley compiled a 6-18 overall record and finished seventh in the CCC standings (1-11).

The Hawks split with Atwater in CCC play.

Central Valley lost twice to Buhach Colony, Golden Valley, Merced, El Capitan and Patterson.

Central Valley posted a 2-0 record versus Ceres High in preseason play last spring. The Hawks prevailed by scores of 3-0 and 3-1.

The Hawks and Bulldogs will battle for more than just bragging rights this season as members of the WAC.

“I think it’s awesome,” Madrigal stated while talking about the crosstown showdown. “It adds more meaning to the games. League games could determine who makes playoffs. Even though we’re rivals, we maintain respect for each other.”

“My wife (Hildelisa) is a teacher at Ceres High School,” he added. “That adds to the friendly rivalry.”

Central Valley will look to secure its first-ever postseason berth. The Hawks enjoyed their best year to date in 2022 by compiling a 10-10 overall record.

“We want to take volleyball seriously and want our program to grow,” Madrigal said. “Ultimately, the kids need to believe in themselves. They need to believe they can do it.”

A history teacher at Central Valley for the past two years, Madrigal worked at Ceres High School from 2016-23.

He was an administrative assistant for five years.

He was named Ceres Unified School District’s Administrative Assistant of the Year in 2022-23.

Madrigal, a 2007 Weston Ranch High School grad, coached boys and girls soccer at his alma mater from 2009-12.

He was voted co-Most Valuable Player of the Valley Oak League during his senior season of boys soccer.

“This is my first year coaching volleyball and coaching at Central Valley,” said Madrigal, who replaced Ryan Donnelly. “There was a vacancy. I wanted to fill the void. This is an opportunity to make connections with youth and prepare them for life. I enjoy being a leader and role model.”