Ceres High’s boys water polo program showed improvement during its rematch against Pacheco last week.
Ceres High’s girls squad also closed the competitive gap.
Ceres High’s boys team lost 13-8 at Pacheco on Oct. 15.
The Bulldogs suffered a 12-2 while playing host to the Panthers during the first meeting.
“It was a big turnaround,” head coach Sebastian Huerta-Alvarado said. “The main thing is our conditioning is way up. We don’t have the privilege of having a full team. I really push them to keep their endurance up as well as their speed.”
Fifth-place Ceres High dropped to 1-9 in the Western Athletic Conference standings.
Second-place Pacheco improved to 8-2 in WAC play.
“We’re losing games but our defense is getting stronger,” Huerta-Alvarado said. “I trust my guys to do their roles to the best of their ability. They want to be better. When we get more kids and subs, we’ll be more competitive.”
Bulldog sophomore Jaxon Merrill tallied a team-high four goals versus the Panthers last week.
He ranks first on the team in scoring.
“He’s really flourished this season,” Huerta-Alvarado said. “He’s a lot stronger. His (water polo) IQ is there.”
Julian Tamayo added two goals.
Jose Gomez Hernandez and Elijah Rodriguez both contributed one goal.
Freshman goalkeeper David Rodriguez made five saves.
“It’s hard finding a goalie,” Huerta-Alvarado said. “He’s happy playing the position. He’s really stepped up. He’s a lot more vocal in the pool. He’s a ballhawk.
Ceres High’s already-depleted team competed shorthanded against Pacheco.
The Bulldogs had no substitutes.
Abel Samaniego (injury), Lorenzo Gradilla (injury) and Rowan Ramirez (family) were sidelined for various reasons.
Samaniego, a team captain, is the Bulldogs’ second-leading scorer.
Rowan is Ceres High’s sixth-man.
Ceres High’s girls team lost 13-12 to Pacheco on Oct. 15 in Los Banos.
The Panthers won the first meeting, 21-8.
“It was a very close game,” first-year head coach Emiliano Ortega stated. “Our closest game of the whole season.”
The Bulldogs (4-6) dropped into a fourth-place tie in the WAC standings with the Panthers.
“More than anything, I’m very proud of them,” Ortega stated. “There’s been a lot of improvement. All of the girls are hungry.”
Ceres High’s Layla Abraham netted a team-high six goals against Pacheco.
Jessie Blevins and Heaven Vasquez both chipped in with three goals apiece.
Goalkeeper Jordan Applegate totaled three blocks.
Ceres High had an opportunity to tie the game with 30 seconds to play.
Blevins’ shot was on target.
“The goalie got a hand on it,” Ortega said.
The Panthers took a 13-12 lead during a man-up scenario.
A Bulldog player was assessed a kick-out penalty after committing a major foul.
Ceres High competed with a full roster during its second meeting versus Pacheco.
Abraham missed the first game, while Blevins was sidelined during the second half following an ejection penalty.
“The last time we played, Jessie and Layla didn’t play,” Ortega said. “That’s a big reason this match was a lot more competitive. We came out super hungry. I knew if we had a full roster, we’d be able to compete and possibly win. We have a really solid team.”
Hawks improve
Central Valley’s girls water polo team avenged a loss against Livingston and challenged Beyer this past week.
Central Valley’s boys put up a fight versus Beyer and lost to Livingston.
Central Valley’s boys sustained a 7-3 loss while battling Western Athletic Conference-rival Beyer on Oct. 13 in Modesto.
The Hawks lost 14-6 to Beyer on Sept. 17 in Ceres.
“I was pleased with our defense,” head coach Tyler Bolton said. “We do great with that and keep improving. We struggle to put the ball away on offense. We got to capitalize and finish strong.”
Central Valley’s Caleb Beckhart scored two goals during the rematch.
Ari Luman added one goal.
Central Valley dropped to 2-9 in the WAC standings following its 21-9 setback versus Livingston on Oct. 15 in Ceres.
The Hawks lost 15-6 on the road to the Wolves on Sept. 22.
Central Valley’s Sal Almazan, Nick DeLeon and Ari Luman all scored a team-high two goals during the rematch.
Caleb Beckhart, Isaiah Shirley and Sean Vernon chipped in with one goal apiece.
Central Valley’s girls improved to 3-8 in the WAC standings with an 18-6 win over Livingston on Oct. 15 in Ceres.
The Hawks lost 20-14 to the host Wolves on Sept. 22.
Central Valley’s Joellene Roton scored a team-high eight goals during the rematch.
Lily Madrigal added six goals.
Natalie Southavongsa and Audrey Rhinehart both contributed two goals.
Central Valley fell 15-11 at Beyer on Oct. 13.
The Hawks lost 18-9 to the Patriots on Sept. 17 in Ceres.
Lily Madrigal scored a team-high 11 goals during the second meeting.
Isabella Madrigal added four goals.
