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CV stuns CHS with comeback win in volleyball
Hawks storm back from 2-0 deficit to secure 3-2 victory
kellyheese
Central Valleys varsity boys volleyball team compiled a 4-6 record in WAC play under head coach Kelly Heeses guidance this spring. The Hawks tied for third place in the league standings with the crosstown-rival Bulldogs. Central Valley won both of its matches versus Ceres High. - photo by DALE BUTLER/The Courier

Eliminated from playoff contention, crosstown-rivals Central Valley and Ceres High clashed on the final day of the Western Athletic Conference varsity boys volleyball season.

The Hawks stunned the Bulldogs with a thrilling 3-2 (20-25, 20-25, 25-12, 28-26, 15-11) road victory on April 30 at Phil de la Porte Gymnasium.

"It's nice to finish the season on a positive note," Central Valley head coach Kelly Heese said. "I knew we were capable of coming back. We've beaten them before."

The Hawks and Bulldogs tied for third place in the WAC standings with identical 4-6 records.

"Wins and losses are not everything," Heese said. "But I do believe we could have been right up there with Livingston and Patterson. We were mentally challenged for whatever reason this year."

Central Valley's Erick Martinez collected 14 kills, three blocks and two aces against Ceres High last week.

Javier Villanueva chipped in with eight kills and two blocks.

Angel Arellano tallied six kills, three aces and one block.

Hector Herrera added six kills and two blocks.

Christian Murry paced the Bulldogs with 23 digs, 17 kills, seven blocks, three aces and two assists.

Jacob Rodriguez had 32 assists, five digs and one ace.

Ivan Arita had 17 digs, 16 blocks, seven kills and one assist.

Cristian Garcia had 17 kills, 14 digs, seven blocks and one ace.

Freddi Lopez had 15 digs, one kill, one block and one ace.
Christian Martinez had 15 digs.

Fernando Sosa had four digs and one assist.

Daniel Hadwick had two digs.

Ceres High had the momentum in its favor after taking the first two games.

"We had a lot of silly mistakes," Heese said.

The Hawks won the third and fourth games in decisive and close fashion, respectively, to force a winner-take-all scenario.

"It's gratifying to watch everything I tried to instill the entire season finally fall into place," Heese said. "They worked together as a team. That was the victory to me. They didn't shut down on themselves and each other. That's a barrier we've struggled with. They pulled through and played to their capabilities. I'm proud of the job they did."

Central Valley beat Ceres High twice in 2018.

The Bulldogs won the previous five meetings. "They're an opponent," Heese said. "My team views it (the matchup) differently. This seems like the match the guys get the most fired up for. I saw the drive."