A year removed from nearly qualifying for the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs for the first time in program history, Central Valley High School's new-look varsity volleyball team can't help but be excited about the present and future.

"It's a new year," Hawks junior standout Julia Ramsey said. "It would be great to make a name for ourselves."

Central Valley shut out Livingston, 3-0, Thursday evening in Ceres.

The Hawks improved to 3-6 on the season and 2-1 in the Western Athletic Conference standings.

"The last two years is the first time volleyball has been talked about at our school," Ramsey said. "People are scared to play us. We have a pretty good shot at making playoffs this year."

Ramsey tallied nine kills and one ace against the Wolves.

Sophomore Bianca Espinoza collected eight digs, three assists and one ace.

Lynaya Lerma had four kills, four blocks and four assists.

Mikayla Mabie had three kills, two digs, one assist and one ace.

Alyssa Costa had three kills.

Elizabeth Olide had two digs, two assists, one kill and one ace.

Darian Robinson had two blocks and one kill.

Ellysa Widas had one block.

Elisa Sen had one ace.

The match lasted just a little over an hour.

"Everyone on the team is starting to play better," Ramsey said. "We have good chemistry now. We've gotten a lot better talking to each other. A lot of us weren't used to playing together at the beginning of the season."

Central Valley's roster features five returners and eight newcomers.

The Hawks are hungry to make history.

"I'm very pleased with the progress they're making," Central Valley head coach Kelly Heese said. "We're on track for playoffs. We still have to continue to work."