Ceres High’s varsity boys volleyball team set multiple program records last season.

The Bulldogs racked up 19 wins, placed second in the Western Athletic Conference with a 9-3 mark and qualified for the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs for the second time in four years.

Ceres High will strive for additional success this spring.

“Our goal is always to make it to playoffs,” Coach Darlene Tobler said. “My team is very motivated, and with their drive, I can see it happening.”

Ceres High’s top returners are Jacob Rodriguez (Sr.), Victor Hurtado (Sr.), Verlis Smith (So.), Sam Garcia (Jr.), Aaron Delgado (Sr.) and Yair Munoz (So.).

The Bulldogs top newcomers are Isaac Rodriguez (Jr.), Adrian Barajas (Jr.), Felipe Gulindo (Jr.), Matthew Aveytia (Sr.) and Leo Suarez (Sr.).

Christian Murry (2019 WAC MVP) and Ivan Arita (WAC First Team) were both lost to graduation.

Rodriguez earned first-team all-conference accolades as a junior.

Hurtado was a second-team pick.

Smith was an honorable-mention selection.

“The positive energy and chemistry this team has is extraordinary,” Tobler said. “They are very driven and hard working. They give their all to me and each other every day and they do not give up.”

Ceres High had a combined record of 9-0 versus Pacheco, Mountain House and Los Banos in WAC play las season.

The Bulldogs lost three times to first-place Lathrop (12-0).

Los Banos (5-7), Mountain House (3-9) and Pacheco (1-11) placed third, fourth and fifth, respectively.

Thirteenth-seeded Ceres High fell 3-0 (25-12, 25-16, 25-20) to No. 4 Golden Valley in the first round of the 2019 Division-II playoffs.

Rodriguez had 19 assists and four digs in defeat.

Hurtado had 19 digs, three blocks, one kill and one assist.

Smith had seven digs, four blocks and three kills.

Garcia had five blocks, two kills and one assist.

Delgado had three digs.

“I have very high expectations for my team,” Tobler said. “If we keep our momentum moving forward, we will no doubt do great things.”