Central Valley’s girls tennis team accomplished several goals during the final week of the Western Athletic Conference regular season.
The Hawks continued their run of dominance against the Ceres High Bulldogs and claimed their third consecutive WAC title with a 9-0 road win on Oct. 20.
Central Valley also spoiled Ceres High’s Senior Day.
“They dominated us for years,” Hawks’ head coach Nimrat Chahal said. “Now, we have the upper hand.”
“At some point, you’d think it would start evening out,” Bulldogs’ leader Jesse Apodaca stated.
Central Valley (13-1) tied for first place in the 2026 WAC standings with the Beyer Patriots.
The Hawks have a combined record of 39-1 versus conference opponents the past three seasons.
“This is something that doesn’t happen often,” Chahal said. “It’s surreal to think about. Hopefully, we’re building something that is sustainable. We want to continue being good. We’re going to play hard and have fun.”
The Bulldogs (0-14) finished last in league play.
“Everybody improved,” Apodaca said while assessing the performance of his players. “I’m only losing one girl (to graduation). If all my doubles players come back and I get some additions, I’d fully expect to be .500 in league next season.”
Central Valley won all six singles and three doubles matches its rematch against Ceres High last week.
“They’ve gotten a lot better since the last time we played,” Chahal said. “Credit to them.”
Hawk Emily Carranza topped Bulldog Helena Trujillo 6-0, 6-1 in No. 1 singles play.
Serath Birring topped Xaimara Corona Mejia 6-0, 6-0 in No. 2 singles play.
Yahiza Bustos topped Cazandra Fregoso 6-0, 6-2 in No. 4 singles play.
Lizeth Tafolla topped Dayana Gallo 6-0, 6-0 in No. 6 singles play.
Valerie Espinoza prevailed by forfeit in No. 3 singles play.
Samantha Sarabia prevailed by forfeit in No. 5 singles play.
Lauren Salvatera and Karla Robles topped Amy Gonzalez and Giselle Valdez Moreno 6-4, 4-6, 14-12 in No. 1 doubles play.
Victoria Jaime Dominguez and Constanza Jaime Dominguez topped Michelle Salas and Kiara Gutierrez 4-6, 7-6 (7-2), 10-6 in No. 2 doubles play.
Chanelle Ramirez and Yaretzi Valdovinos topped Briseyda Erenas Rios and Marisol Gomez 7-5, 6-4 in No. 3 doubles play.
Two of three doubles matches went three sets.
“My doubles were my bright spot this year,” Apodaca said. “They put the effort in to learn. I have no complaints.”
Trujillo, Ceres High’s lone senior player, was recognized before her final home match.
“She came into the season with experience,” Apodaca said. “That’s why she was our No. 1 singles player.”
Central Valley - which had its Senior Day during its 7-2 triumph over Lathrop on Oct. 19 - will lose seven players to graduation, including Carranza, Espinoza, Sarabia, Natalia Campos, Aaralyn Jauregui, Isabella Michelena and Evelyn Valenzuela.
“We have a good senior group,” Chahal said. “They’re the reason we’re successful.”
Seeking to win its third straight WAC championship, Central Valley had no room for error during the second half of the WAC regular season.
The Hawks won all seven of their matches and avenged a 5-4 loss versus the Patriots with a 7-2 victory on their way to claiming a share of the league title.
“Losing to Beyer was hard,” Chahal said. “I felt very confident we’d win (the rematch). That was the best I’ve seen us play. The girls responded to the challenge.”
Central Valley also qualified for the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs for the third year in a row.
The Hawks have won 17 of their last 18 matches versus the Bulldogs dating back to the 2014 season.
Central Valley shut out Ceres High 9-0 at home on Sept. 28.
“We don’t talk about streaks,” Chahal said. “That takes the fun out of it.”
