Ceres High’s boys volleyball team topped Pacheco and lost to Lathrop during the final week of the Western Athletic Conference season.
Central Valley dropped matches to Livingston and Beyer.
“They played to the best of their capability,” Bulldogs’ head coach Kelly Heese said.
“We played better than the first time we played them,” Hawks’ leader Julio Madrigal said.
Ceres High closed out the WAC campaign with a 3-1 victory over sixth-place Pacheco on Senior Night on April 22.
“We finished the season on a positive note,” Heese said. “It’s the best I’ve seen the guys play all year long.”
Upperclassmen Kiahn Bacon, Danny Benavidez, Fernando Galvan, Mauricio Leon, Jael Mendoza, Cristopher Nava, Ismael Pulido, Eric Rodriguez and Joel Quintana suited up for the Bulldogs for the final time.
“They were all a great asset to the team,” Heese said.
Ceres High lost 3-0 at third-place Lathrop on April 20.
“Lathrop was stronger,” Heese said. “That’s okay. Our kids tried. They didn’t give up.”
The Bulldogs compiled a 6-10 overall record and finished in fifth place in the WAC standings with a 6-8 mark this spring.
Ceres High beat Central Valley, Pacheco and Johansen twice during conference play.
“Everybody brought something to the team,” Heese said.
Heese believes Ceres High’s boys volleyball program is headed in the right direction.
The Bulldogs fielded a team at the frosh level for the first time this season.
Ceres High’s junior-varsity squad compiled an 8-6 record against WAC competition and placed second at the Livingston Tournament.
“There’s a lot of talent,” Heese said.
Central Valley dropped its WAC finale, 3-0, to first-place Livingston on April 22 in Ceres.
Seniors Garrett Akiona, Ricardo Roa Barragan, Nicolas Garcia and Juan Pablo Serafin suited up for the Hawks for the final time.
“All four of them were great for the program,” Madrigal said. “They set the expectation and led by example. They listened and were coachable. They really cared.”
Central Valley lost 3-0 to second-place Beyer on April 20 at Phil de la Porte Gymnasium.
“Beyer has a good team,” Madrigal said.
The Hawks amassed a 5-21 overall record and finished in seventh place in the WAC with a 3-11 mark.
Central Valley collected two wins against Pacheco and one victory versus Johansen.
“We got better as the season went on,” Madrigal said. “The last five matches, we picked it up. The boys had fun. They believed in themselves and trusted each other. If we played that way earlier, our record would have been better.”
Madrigal will not coach boys volleyball at Central Valley next school year.
He will begin his new job as Ceres High’s athletic director this fall.
Madrigal has taught social sciences at Central Valley for the past three years.
He previously worked as an administrative assistant and campus supervisor at Ceres High.
“It was a challenge,” said Madrigal, who led the Hawks the past two seasons. “I learned how to coach volleyball. It was a great experience. I hope I made a positive impact. I think the future is bright at Central Valley. The program is young. We have kids that care and love volleyball.”
Heese, who doubled as Ceres High’s girls and boys volleyball coaches for a combined 11 seasons, will not return to the sidelines in 2026-27.
“I’m not going to be a part of the program anymore,” Heese said. “I was told they were going in a different direction. I hope I made an impact. I coach the way I was mentored. There’s a greater picture to all of this. These are young men. My job is to help mold and shape them.”
“I don’t have any animosity,” she added. “I hope they find the right fit for the program and I wish them the best. God has never closed one door in my life that hasn’t opened to something greater. I do it (coach) because it’s my passion.”
BOYS GOLF
Central Valley boys golf sophomore standout Adolfo Diaz secured an individual berth to the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters Tournament.
He extended his season by posting a team-best score of 79 at the Sac-Joaquin Section Division-IV Championships on May 4 at Wildhorse Golf Club in Davis.
“Tournament golf is a different beast,” Hawks’ head coach William Bossard said. “And he’s showing that he can play under pressure.”
Diaz, Cristian Bossard (Jr.), Aayden Vang (Fr.), Max Mendoza (Fr.) and Ayden Whitworth (Fr.) helped lead the Hawks to a fifth-place finish at Divisionals.
Central Valley posted a team score of 499.
Bossard, Vang, Mendoza and Whitworth shot 91, 101, 111 and 117, respectively.
“The future is bright at CV,” Bossard said.
Ceres High had two individuals compete at Divisionals, including Isaac Gonzalez and Cooper Perez.
“They surprised me with their scores,” head coach Ron Edwards said. “They actually did pretty well. We had a practice round there on Wednesday and they struggled.”
Gonzalez, a junior, shot an 89.
“Isaac struggled at the beginning of the year,” Edwards said. “He started to improve. He hit his irons better. His drives were straight. He putted well. That’s what helped him.”
Perez, a junior, carded a 105.
“He got better as the season went on,” Edwards said.
