Ceres High’s girls volleyball team compiled a 1-1 record against crosstown-rival Central Valley a year ago.
The Bulldogs shut out the Hawks 3-0 (25-22, 25-16, 25-17) on the road during the first half of the 2025 Western Athletic Conference season on Sept. 29.
Ceres High avenged a 3-2 (14-25, 19-25, 25-19, 26-24, 15-12) loss.
“Everybody puts so much emphasis on the crosstown rivalry,” Bulldogs’ leader/former Hawks’ head coach Kelly Heese said. “As coaches, you train the same. As athletes, they show up differently, which is understandable. It’s their rival. They should play more competitive.”
Bella Bravo, Kamea Brown, Priya Martinez and Genesis Sio filled key roles while leading Ceres High past Central Valley last week.
“The girls played with heart and had fun,” Heese said.
Payton McConnell led the Hawks with nine digs, two kills and one assist.
Gabriela Delatorre had eight assists, seven aces, five digs, three kills and one block.
Sofia Garibay had eight digs, two kills, one assist and one ace.
MariaJose Castenada had seven digs and one assist.
Reylena Herrera four kills and one assist.
Arely Padilla had two digs and one ace.
Kassandra Torres two kills.
Casandra Carrillo had two digs.
Ceres High won the first set by just three points.
The Bulldogs won the second set by nine points and the third set by eight points.
“I felt confident going into the match,” Heese said. “I knew they had the capability to win. The girls were locked in because it’s the crosstown rivalry. They played to the best of their ability.”
Third-place Ceres High (7-4, 6-4) and fifth-place Central Valley (3-17, 1-9) will face off for the second time on Oct. 22 at Phil de la Porte Gymnasium.
The Bulldogs have matched their conference win total from a year ago.
Ceres High amassed an 8-11 overall record and finished fifth in the WAC standings with a 6-8 mark last season.
The Bulldogs secured their last playoff berth in 2016.
“We have started to become a unit,” Heese said. “We don’t have individuals playing for themselves. We’re a team.”
“There’s been a lot more communication,” she added. “That’s helped us grow more.”
