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CHS girls remain in first place in WAC water polo standings
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Camryn Elness made a combined 28 saves during the Ceres High varsity girls water polo teams victories over Livingston and Pacheco in Western Athletic Conference play last week. - photo by DALE BUTLER/The Courier

Ceres High's varsity girls water polo team returned home from Livingston with a 6-5 win earlier this month.
The rematch was one-sided as the Bulldogs throttled the visiting Wolves 13-2 on Wednesday.

"I was very concerned going into the match," Ceres High head coach Stephen Dias said. "We didn't play 100 percent together at Livingston. They played well together today. My girls are determined not to lose again. They know what's at stake."

The Bulldogs improved to 15-1 overall and remained in a tie for first place with Los Banos atop the Western Athletic Conference standings (6-1).

"Everyone is excited," Dias said. "We're going to playoffs. But we got to stay focused. These girls want it (to win the league title) more than I do."

Ceres High dominated Livingston from start to finish during the rematch.

The Bulldogs' lead ballooned to 10-0 in the third period.

Ceres High goalkeeper Camryn Elness totaled 16 blocks.

She also scored once.

Julia Pata tallied a team-high four goals.

Kaitlyn Foster and Camryn Silva both contributed three goals.

Noelia de Leon and Savannah Jordan finished with one goal apiece.

Ceres High secured its second playoff berth in program history with a 13-4 win over visiting Pacheco on Oct. 17.

The Bulldogs compiled a 3-0 record versus the Panthers in 2016.

"They've had a tough year because they graduated a lot of players," Dias said. "They have a brand-new team."

Elness made 12 saves during the third meeting.

Pata had a game-high four goals.

Kaitlyn Foster and Camryn Silva both scored twice.

Noelia de Leon, Emily Campidonica, Kassandra Armas, Natasha Samra and Savannah Zielke all chipped in with one goal apiece.

Ceres High has experienced a major turnaround this fall.

The Bulldogs won just three conference matches last season.

"I can't complain," Dias said. "We've had a great year. I'm so proud of them because of where they've come from. They know they're part of something special. I did not expect them to do this at first. But it's a different team. They're really focused. They're self-motivated. They have fun at practices even though they're working. I don't feel pressure with them."