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CV suffers 5-4 tennis loss while battling crosstown Bulldogs
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Jorge Campos helped Ceres Highs varsity boys tennis team improve its all-time record versus crosstown-rival Central Valley to 22-0 this past week. Campos beat Roman Ortiz in three sets, 6-2, 1-6, 6-2, in No. 5 singles play. - photo by JEFF BENZIGER/Courier photo

Central Valley's varsity boys tennis team has never beaten crosstown-rival Ceres High.

The Hawks nearly ended the Bulldogs' run of dominance this past week.

Host Central Valley lost 5-4 to Ceres High during the second round of Western Athletic Conference play on Friday.

The Bulldogs edged the Hawks by the identical score earlier this season.

"We were in great positions both times to pull out victories," Central Valley head coach Mike Rodriguez said. "We just couldn't do it. It's a little frustrating. It sums up our season. All of our losses have been close. We have to find a way to put together a full match."

The fourth-place Hawks dropped to 4-6 in the WAC standings.

The first-place Bulldogs improved to 10-0.

Central Valley has lost 5-4 four times this year, including twice to second-place Livingston (8-2).

"We're more than capable of winning our last five matches," Rodriguez said. "We've played everybody close. We just got to get better."

The Hawks won all three doubles and one of six singles matches versus the Bulldogs this past week.

Max Sanchez and Jesus Cuevas defeated Ceres High's Angelo Marino and Will Rodriguez 7-6 (7-5), 6-4 in No. 1 doubles play.

Adrian Gomez and Ivan Jimenez defeated Erik Haro and Tony Heras 3-6, 6-0, 7-5 in No. 2 doubles play.

Alonzo Bustos and Samson Gonzalez defeated Gurraj Purewal and Tarandeep Singh 3-6, 7-5, 10-8 in No. 3 doubles play.

Henry Garcia defeated Ceres High's Chris Padilla 6-2, 7-6 (7-2) in No. 3 singles play.

Ruben Morales lost 6-0, 6-0 to Nolan McCaig in No. 1 singles play.

Juan Zaragoza lost 6-1, 6-4 to Christian Pimentel in No. 2 singles play.

Rogelio Perez lost 6-1, 6-2 to Donnavin Koeurn in No. 4 singles play.

Roman Ortiz lost 6-2, 1-6, 6-2 to Jorge Campos in No. 5 singles play.

Ralph Afortunado lost 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 to Darren Polanes in No. 6 singles play.

Polanes' three-set win clinched the team victory for the Bulldogs.

"We're so even," Rodriguez said. "It could go either way."

Central Valley has an all-time record of 0-22 against Ceres High.

The Hawks and Bulldogs will face off for the 23rd time on April 12.

"We'll have another shot," Rodriguez said. "We know we're capable of beating them. We'll see if we can make it happen. It's going to be close again."