Ceres High School’s varsity girls water polo team was eliminated from the race for a playoff berth following its 0-2 showing in Western Athletic Conference play this past week.

The Bulldogs (2-5) dropped into a third-place tie with Livingston in the WAC standings.

The top two teams in league advance to the playoffs.

“The girls played really hard both games,” Ceres High head coach Stephen Dias said. “They didn’t give up.”

Ceres High lost 11-6 at Los Banos on Thursday.

Bulldog goalkeeper Camryn Elness had 10 blocks.

Julia Pata and Noelia de Leon both scored a team-high two goals.

Annie Connors and Lindsey Oliveira each had one goal.

“I thought it was a good, competitive match,” Dias said. “Los Banos took control in the beginning. We changed our strategy. We played hard defense and slowed them down. Our goalie did an excellent job.”

Host Ceres High lost 14-6 to first-place El Capitan on Oct. 20.

Elness had eight saves.

Connors, Oliveira and Pata led the Bulldogs in scoring with two goals apiece.

“El Capitan is a really good team,” Dias said. “They go to their B and C teams and they’re still strong.”

Ceres High will close out the WAC season against visiting Livingston on Thursday.

The match will get underway at 4 p.m.

The Wolves edged the Bulldogs 5-3 at home on Oct. 13.

“I have high hopes,” Dias said. “We’re not going to underestimate them again.”