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CHS players conclude prep tennis careers
Victoria Ochoa and Gurmannet Bahia
Victoria Ochoa and Gurmannet Bahia suited up for Ceres High’s girls tennis program for the final time this past month at the WAC Championships.

Seniors Gurmannet Bahia, Valerie Raya and Victoria Ochoa represented Ceres High School’s girls tennis program for the final time last month.

Bahia, Raya, Ochoa and Bulldog junior teammate Payton Ogden competed at the Western Athletic Conference Championships.

“It was a privilege to coach them (Bahia, Raya and Ochoa),” Ceres High leader Brandon Moring said. “They always had great attitudes and tried hard.”

Bahia and Raya posted identical 0-1 records at the WAC Singles Tournament on Oct. 25 at Mountain House High School.

“I thought we got a good draw,” Moring said. ‘We didn’t get any of the seeded players.”

Bahia suffered a 6-3, 6-2 loss while battling Los Banos’ Petrina Gilardi in the opening round.

Raya lost 6-1, 6-0 to Grace Davis’ Adyranna Ege in the first round.

“I thought they both played well,” Moring said. “Their two opponents are seasoned tennis players. It’s hard to compete with year-round tennis players.”

Bahia and Raya, and Ochoa and Ogden competed at the WAC Doubles Championships on Oct. 26 in Manteca.

“We set up some doubles matches for the girls at practice the last few weeks of the season,” Moring said. “But it wasn’t enough preparation. It (doubles) is a completely different game. You have to have a different mindset.”

Bahia and Raya lost 6-3, 6-0 to Mountain House’s fourth-seeded tandem of Valika Seth and Udaiya Bommunduriai in the first round.

Seth and Bommunduriai advanced to the finals.

“I thought it was our best chance to win,” Moring said. “They seemed motivated. They got off to a good start. The first set was competitive.”

Ochoa and Ogden lost 6-0, 6-0 to Grace Davis’ Adyranna Ege and Sariyah King in the opening round.

“They communicated well,” Moring said. “They tried hard. Just a tough opponent.”

Bahia, Raya and Ochoa were four-year tennis players. 

They played for Moring during their senior and freshman years.

“I’m proud of them,” Moring said. “They’re wonderful young ladies. They worked hard.”