Ceres High’s varsity boys volleyball and varsity softball programs have been named the Courier’s co-Teams of the Year for the spring sports season.
Ceres High’s boys volleyball team won eight of its 10 matches and compiled a 2-1 record against Western Athletic Conference competition.
“This group was special,” head coach Darlene Tobler said. “I didn’t have any weak links. They all had each other’s backs and my back. They loved to work hard and make me happy. The brotherhood was amazing. We were a family.”
The Bulldogs collected wins against Turlock Christian (3-0), Hilmar (3-0), Los Banos (3-0), Central Valley (3-1), Franklin (2-0), Washington Union (2-0), McClatchy (2-1) and Mountain House (3-0) under Tobler’s direction.
"It’s disappointing we didn’t get to finish the season. I felt we were destined for greatness. We were on a hot streak."Verlis Smith
“We had a great group of guys,” sophomore standout Verlis Smith said. “The energy and connection was amazing. We all had fun. It’s disappointing we didn’t get to finish the season. I felt we were destined for greatness. We were on a hot streak. We still had time to grow. We could have won league with this group if we pushed hard enough.”
“It would have been close,” Tobler added. “If we were able to keep up the momentum, it would have been tough to stop us.”
Led by Vianney Perez, Cheralyn Durossette, Brooklyn Heffernan, Rebecca DeLeon and Megan Yorba, Ceres High’s softball team finished 6-2 overall and 1-0 in the WAC standings.
Perez batted .636 with two homers, two triples, six RBIs and 14 runs.
Durossette batted .500 with one triple, two doubles, six RBIs and seven runs.
Heffernan batted .391 with one triple, three doubles, five RBIs and 14 runs.
DeLeon batted .348 with one triple, four doubles, eight RBIs and nine runs.
Yorba batted .375 with two runs.
DeLeon compiled a 3-1 record at pitcher with a 1.40 ERA and 16 strikeouts in 15 innings.
Heffernan posted a 2-1 record with a 2.94 ERA and 27 strikeouts in 162/3 innings.
Yorba finished 1-1 with a 1.17 ERA with 23 strikeouts in 12 innings.
“This was a special group of girls,” head coach Mike Corsaut said. “They liked each other. They all wanted to see each other succeed.”
The Bulldogs beat Gregori (5-4), Buhach Colony (10-0), Chavez (9-2), Waterford (11-1), Liberty Ranch (6-5) and Lathrop (15-0).
“This group would have won league again and made a deep run in the playoffs,” Corsaut said. “We were skilled at every position. Offensively, we could hit up and down the lineup. Our pitchers were dialed in. We have a great nucleus coming back. They (Perez and DeLeon) are going to be hard to replace. They’re both going to play softball in college.”
