Former Central Valley volleyball coach Nayeli Ramos will lead Ceres High’s girls program this fall.

Ramos replaced Kelly Heese, who served as head coach of the Bulldogs for seven seasons.

Ceres High had a combined record of 41-96 (28-59 in Western Athletic Conference play) under Heese’s guidance from 2019-25.

“Challenging myself to grow and run a (varsity) program is something I’ve always wanted to do,” she said. “I have a passion for volleyball. I enjoy working with kids.”

Ramos inherits a program that fell one win shy of posting a winning season and securing a playoff berth a season ago.

The Bulldogs lost four players from last year’s team.

Isabella Bravo, Genesis Sio and Janelli Araiza all graduated.

Giada Stabille, a foreign-exchange student, moved back to Italy.

Sio and Bravo were both named to the WAC First Team

Sio led the Bulldogs in both kills and blocks.

Bravo ranked second on the team in kills.

“It does take time to build a program,” Ramos said. “It will be a learning experience for both of us.”

“I’m competitive,” she added. “I want to win. I can be hard on my players. But I’m also supportive. I encourage them to grow beyond what they’re capable of.”

A total of 13 players earned roster spots on Ceres High’s team this season, including Emilia Derrick (Sr.), Riley Gaskill (Sr.), Priya Martinez (Sr.), Giselle Arriola (Jr.), Alyssah Barretto (Jr.), Kamea Brown (Jr.), Evelyn Montanez (Jr.), Vinique Paularena (Jr.), Layla Perez (Jr.), Nevaeh Quintana (Jr.), Camila Rubio (Jr.), Felisha SolofaFatu (Jr.) and Emmalina Morales (So.).

Gaskill, Martinez, Arriola, Brown and Paularena are returners.

Derrick, Barretto, Montanez, Perez, Quintana, Rubio, SolofaFatu and Morales are newcomers.

Brown garnered second-team all-WAC honors as a sophomore.

She ranked second on the team in both assists and aces.

A setter during club volleyball, Brown logged playing time at libero with the Bulldogs.

Martinez was a WAC honorable-mention selection as a junior.

She ranked first on the team in both assists and aces.

“Most of the girls know the game pretty well,” Ramos said. “They have good fundamentals. They don’t give up. I’m helping them build mental toughness on the court—the ability to handle pressure. Mistakes are part of volleyball.”

Brown, Martinez and Gaskill have been named team captains.

“I chose them,” Ramos said. “They’re coachable. They work hard. They’re supportive on the court. They’re strong leaders.”

Ceres High will strive to return to the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs following a nine-year absence.

“It will take some time for me to get them where I want them to be,” Ramos said. “Ultimately, I’d love to make it to playoffs. We have the potential to. It’s just a matter of them getting used to me and playing together.”

Ceres High enjoyed its best season under Heese’s guidance last year.

The Bulldogs compiled a 9-9 overall record and finished in fourth place in the WAC standings with an 8-6 mark.

Beyer (11-10, 9-5) edged Ceres High for the conference’s third-and-final playoff spot.

“There are some really strong players and teams (in the WAC),” Ramos said. “It’s competitive. If we work hard enough, we can make it to playoffs. Last year’s team almost did. But we can’t rely on talent alone. We need to be prepared and consistent.”

Ceres High has won seven of its last eight meetings versus crosstown-rival Central Valley dating back to the 2019 season.

The Bulldogs bested the Hawks twice (3-0, 3-0) a year ago.

“I’m on the other side (now),” Ramos said. “I’m looking forward to playing Central Valley and seeing some of the girls I coached before. It’s a match both teams want to win. As a previous athlete, there’s nothing like beating a school that’s right down the street from you.”

Ramos graduated from Central Valley in 2019.

She played volleyball at the varsity level for two seasons.

She was team captain during her final year with the Hawks.

Ramos represented Central Valley at the First Annual Stanislaus County All-Star Game as a senior.

“I played volleyball for so long,” she said. “I know what it’s like to have a good coach. Creating an environment where people feel valued and supported is the most important thing for me.”

Ramos coached girls and boys volleyball at Central Valley from 2020-25.

She was an assistant on former Hawks’ varsity boys head coach/current Ceres High athletic director Julio Madrigal’s staff this past spring.

Ramos served as a head coach at the lower-levels, including four seasons with the junior-varsity girls, two with the JV boys and one with the freshman girls.

She led Central Valley’s JV girls to a second-place finish in the WAC standings (10-4) in 2025.

“Coaching JV volleyball gave me a strong foundation,” Ramos said. “It helped me develop coaching skills and become a leader. Before athletes reach varsity, there’s so much to be taught.”

Ramos earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Stanislaus State in 2025.

She currently works as a substitute teacher for Ceres Unified School District and Modesto City Schools.

Ramos is considering going back to college to earn a master’s degree.

“I’m thinking about being a high-school counselor,” she said. “I love working with kids.”