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A busy day for CV sports teams
Volleyball squad advances to playoffs for the first time
mrodriguez.tiff
Central Valley High Schools varsity girls tennis program reached new heights under head coach Mike Rodriguezs direction this year. The Hawks competed in the playoffs for the first time this past week.

It was an eventful day at Central Valley High School on Nov. 4.

Central Valley's varsity girls tennis and boys soccer teams hosted first-round playoff matches at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m., respectively.

Central Valley's varsity volleyball squad hosted a tiebreaker match for the WAC's final postseason berth at 6 p.m.

"I'm so proud of our student athletes and coaches," said Greg Magni, athletic director.

"I didn't know all of that was going on until I found out last night," said Kelly Heese, volleyball head coach. "I was more focused on my team."

"It's good for the school," said Mike Rodriguez, girls tennis head coach. "It shows Central Valley is doing pretty well in their sports. The athletic programs are heading in the right direction. Hopefully, we can keep the success going."

Making its first-ever playoff appearance, Central Valley's girls tennis squad suffered a heartbreaking 5-4 loss to Pioneer in the Division-III bracket.

Tied at 4-4, Pioneer secured last week's victory on the strength of its win at No. 1 doubles.

Joyce Yu and Trish Tran defeated Central Valley's Chelsea Flores and Princess Pe in three sets, 5-7, 7-6 (7-4), 6-4.

Central Valley and Pioneer compiled identical 10-2 records in their respective conferences.

"People were stopping by between the soccer and tennis matches," Rodriguez said. "We definitely got some support. It was pretty exciting."

Central Valley's boys soccer squad earned a hard-fought 1-0 win over East Union in the Division-III playoffs.

Gerardo Enriquez accounted for the Hawks' lone goal. Enriquez scored when his cross pass deflected off a Lancer player.

Ramon Ruiz had 10 saves.

"We played a very good team," Hawks head coach Omar Leon said. "It could have gone either way. Playoffs are like that."

Facing a do-or-die scenario, Central Valley's volleyball squad topped Patterson 3-1 (25-15, 25-22, 18-25, 25-22) in front of a large crowd.

The Hawks secured their first-ever playoff berth.

Central Valley earned the right to host the tiebreaker match after winning a coin toss following their 23-25, 26-24, 25-18, 26-24 win over Patterson on Oct. 28.

The Hawks and Tigers compiled identical 7-5 records in WAC play.

Central Valley and Patterson split during the regular season.

Central Valley won the second meeting on the road.

Patterson edged Central Valley in five games on Oct. 2 in Ceres.

"People actually talk to us and ask how we're doing," said Julia Ramsey, a standout junior on the Hawks' volleyball squad. "We've made a name for ourselves. We've all worked hard."