Central Valley’s girls tennis team shut out crosstown-foe Ceres High 9-0 on the road on Sept. 30.
The Hawks have won 14 of their last 15 meetings versus the Bulldogs dating back to the 2014 season.
Ceres High dominated the rivalry in the past as it notched 15 straight wins against Central Valley from 2006-13.
“Our program is established right now,” Hawks’ assistant coach Mike Rodriguez said. “There were a couple of years Ceres didn’t have a team. They’ve had different coaches. They’re trying to re-establish their program.”
“It’s disappointing,” Bulldogs’ first-year leader Jesse Apodaca said. “I think my team was psyched out before they took the court. Central Valley was undefeated. They had been beating everybody with no resistance. If you show your opponent you’re not going to quit, it changes their mindset.”
Central Valley moved to 10-1 overall and 7-0 in the Western Athletic Conference.
Ceres High dropped to 1-6 in the WAC standings.
The Hawks improved their all-time record against the Bulldogs to 14-16.
“They have a lot more experience,” Apodaca said.
“You have to have self-belief,” he added. “You have to have a desire to win.”
Central Valley won all six singles and three doubles matches on its way to shutting out Ceres High this past week.
“That was expected because of the experience we have,” Rodriguez stated. “We got a lot of seniors. They got a new coach and players.”
Aleena Higle topped Alyson Brumbaugh 6-2, 6-0 in No. 1 singles play.
Harkiran Sandhu topped Ceres High’s Martina Meglioli 1-6, 6-2, 6-0 in No. 2 singles play.
Sandhu battled back after dropping the first set to Meglioli.
“You have to keep your foot on the gas and not let up,” Apodaca said.
Aaliyah Jauregui topped Nerisha Singh 6-0, 6-0 in No. 3 singles play.
Valerie Espinoza topped Tatiana Rivas 5-7, 6-3, 10-8 in No. 4 singles play.
Rivas lost in a tiebreaker.
“That match could have gone in our favor,” Apodaca said. “Tatiana fought until the end. She never quits. She has a good work ethic.”
“Credit to the girl from Ceres,” Rodriguez added. “She hit some nice shots. She was scrappy. Our girl was a little better.”
Serath Birring topped Kassandra Hernandez 6-1, 6-0 in No. 5 singles play.
Roxana Orozco topped Xaimara Corona Mejia 6-0, 6-0 in No. 6 singles play.
Genesis Velazquez Pedraza and Valeria Sanchez Luna topped Dania Gallo Padilla and Denisse Gonzalez 6-2, 6-0 in No. 1 doubles play.
Selena Cubillo and Emily Carranza topped Xochiti Ofelia Gonzalez Hernandez and Cazandra Fregoso 6-0, 6-1 in No. 2 doubles play.
Natalia Campos and Samantha Sarabia Zavala topped Aileen Rocha and Mia Miller and 6-0, 6-0 in No. 3 doubles play.
“Credit to Central Valley,” Apodaca said. “They have good players. They’re well-coached.”
