Ceres High’s varsity girls water polo team didn’t get embarrassed during its Sac-Joaquin Section Division-II playoff matchup with Buhach Colony last week.

The 11th-seeded Bulldogs showed flashes of competitiveness in losing 16-6 to the seventh-seeded Thunder on Oct. 31 in Atwater.

“We knew it was going to be difficult,” Ceres High coach Stephen Dias said. “We were just hoping to not get shut out. I’m pleased with the way they played. The girls never gave up. They showed heart.”

Bulldog senior Camryn Silva scored a team-high four goals against the Thunder.

Junior Emily Wolff had two goals.

Senior goalkeeper Isabel Juarez totaled seven blocks.

“Every girl got to play,” Dias said. 

Ceres High never posed a threat against Buhach Colony.

“It was a privilege to play a team like that,” Dias said. “They have strong swimmers.”

Bulldogs players were exhausted at the end of the match.

“They swam my girls to death,” Dias said.

Ceres High secured its third straight playoff berth under Dias’ guidance this fall.

The Bulldogs (9-2) also placed second in the Western Athletic Conference standings for the third consecutive year.

Ceres High continued its winning ways despite competing with a revamped lineup and in a new-look conference.

“As a coach, I couldn’t be prouder,” Dias said. “All through the season, they kept surprising me. It was exciting to see the girls do so well. They exceeded their own expectations.”

Silva, Juarez, Kassandra Armas, Gisele Garcia, Ninweh Gores, Hanna Brown, Yesenia Colunga, Adriana Lopez and Sabrina Taylor will graduate in June. 

Silva, Juarez, Armas, Garcia and Gorges were starters.

“Every year, you go through that same process,” Dias said. “But losing nine players is quite a bit. It will be different. There will be gaps we’ll need to fill. I’m worried about a couple spots.”