By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
CV sweeps CHS, improves to 9-1 in WAC tennis standings
avillegas.tiff
Ceres Highs Alicia Villegas lost in straight sets, 6-0, 6-3, to Central Valleys Claudia Martinez in No. 6 singles play. - photo by DALE BUTLER/The Courier

Central Valley High School's varsity girls tennis team has won its last five meetings against crosstown-rival Ceres High.

The visiting Hawks earned a Western Athletic Conference series sweep of the Bulldogs with a 6-3 win on Thursday.

Central Valley defeated Ceres High 7-2 on Sept. 22.

"There's always a little bit of concern whenever we play Ceres High," Hawks head coach Mike Rodriguez said. "All the matches seem to be competitive."

Second-place Central Valley improved to 9-1 in the WAC.

Fourth-place Ceres High dropped to 5-6 in the conference standings.

The Hawks have won 17 of their last 19 league matches dating back to the 2014 season.

Central Valley and Ceres High faced off for the 20th time this past week.

"I just see them as another team," Rodriguez said. "We want to win every match."

The Hawks won five of six singles and one of three doubles matches against the Bulldogs.

Teresa Diaz defeated Dominique Koeurn 6-2, 6-1 in No. 1 singles play.

Jadah Jackson defeated Andria Esho 6-2, 6-2 in No. 2 singles play.

Celest Lepe defeated Jalani Blankenship 6-0, 6-1 in No. 4 singles play.

Chelsea Flores defeated Chelsea Heras 6-3, 7-6 (7-3) in No. 5 singles play.

Claudia Martinez defeated Alicia Villegas 6-0, 6-3 in No. 6 singles play.

Vanessa Monroy and Amy Nguyen defeated Aleena Ahmed and Azia Brewster 6-4, 6-3 in No. 1 doubles play.

Bryana Lopez lost 6-2, 6-0 to Stephanie Garcia in No. 3 singles play.

Trinity Avila and Maria Rojas lost 6-0, 6-2 to Sabrina Yang and Shania Evans in No. 2 doubles play.

Nicole Munoz and Stephanie Lopez lost 6-3, 6-3 to Sarah Cuevas and Bella Rosas in No. 3 doubles play.

The Hawks improved their all-time record versus the Bulldogs to 5-15.

"Programs go through their ups and downs," Rodriguez said. "We're on the upswing right now. I knew it would eventually happen."

Central Valley secured its second straight playoff berth after dominating Livingston 8-1 on Tuesday, Oct. 13.

"I thought we had the potential to get there and we accomplished that," Rodriguez said. "We're pretty excited. The girls stepped up."

Jackson defeated Christine Gallardo 6-2, 6-3 in No. 2 singles play.

Lopez defeated Elisa Armenta 6-3, 6-2 in No. 3 singles play.

Lepe defeated Andreina Mendoza 6-0, 6-0 in No. 4 singles play.

Flores defeated Marissa Aguilar 6-1, 6-1 in No. 5 singles play.

Martinez defeated Esmeralda Ramos 6-0, 6-0 in No. 6 singles play.

Monroy and Nguyen defeated Avneet Uppal and Amalia Barragan 7-6 (7-4), 6-1 in No. 1 doubles play.

Munoz and Rojas defeated Gabby Ramirez and Erica Lomeli 6-0, 6-0 in No. 2 doubles play.

Lopez and Stephanie Becerra defeated Valeria Lopez and Natalia Valencia 6-3, 6-1 in No. 3 doubles play.

Diaz lost 6-4, 6-0 to Jasdeep Bassi in No. 1 singles play.

Central Valley qualified for the postseason for the first time in school history and posted a 10-2 record on its way to a second-place finish in conference play a year ago.

Central Valley will close out the WAC season tomorrow at defending WAC-champion Los Banos.

The Hawks need to beat the Tigers to claim a share of the conference crown.

Central Valley lost 7-2 to Los Banos on Oct. 6.

"We're going to have to come out aggressive," Rodriguez said. "We're going to have to win all three doubles and two singles matches. It's going to be tough."