Darlene Tobler graduated from Ceres High School in 1995.
She has coached volleyball at her alma mater for the past four years.

"I absolutely love coaching," Darlene said. "It's definitely fulfilled something I didn't know was missing until I did it."

Tobler, leader of the Bulldogs' varsity girls and boys programs, provided instruction during the school's June 20-23 volleyball camp.

Meliesa Stiles and Aimee Gunzenhauser, Ceres High's junior-varsity and freshman head coaches, respectively, assisted.

Stiles and Gunzenhauser are CHS grads.

Former Bulldogs Cameron Diaz, Valerie Hamilton and Jessica Arreola also helped out, along with 2016 Central Valley High School grad/Ceres High stat keeper Mikayla Mabie.

"A lot of us played sports at Ceres High," Tobler said. "It was neat to see them (Diaz and Hamilton) come back after a couple of years. They love the sport. They were fired up to be around it again."

A total of 65 girls and boys attended the clinic last week at Phil de la Porte Gymnasium.

"I got a lot of good feedback from the young athletes and parents," Tobler said.

Ceres' Analy Gomez (11) and Turlock's Makayla Burrow (10) and Bronson Burrow (12) were among the 20 participants during the 3-5 p.m. session for fourth through seventh graders.

The 5-7 p.m. session for eighth through 12th graders drew 45 participants.

"The kids had a lot of fun and learned a lot," Tobler said. "They didn't want it to end. I saw a lot of improvement. I really love being here. It feels like being home. It's a cool experience. I appreciate (Ceres High athletic director) Shawna Nunes allows me to coach."