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Hawk newcomer wins WAC MVP award
Pfaff, Hogner first-team picks
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Central Valleys Janita Vongphoumy (pictured right) and Ceres Highs Caitlin Pfaff ranked first and second, respectively, in the Western Athletic Conference individual standings. - photo by DALE BUTLER/The Courier

Central Valley High School's varsity girls golf program had the top individual player in the Western Athletic Conference.

Led by head coach Randy Cerny, Ceres High had the best team.

Central Valley's Janita Vongphoumy, and Ceres High's Caitlin Pfaff, Erica Hogner and Abigail Nou were recognized in a vote by the WAC's head coaches last month at Livingston High School.

Cerny was named Coach of the Year.

"It's always nice to be recognized by your peers," Cerny said. "I'm definitely not a golf professional. I motivate the girls. I drive the van. That's what I do."

Vongphoumy, a junior transfer from Rhode Island, ended Pfaff's two-year reign as WAC Most Valuable Player.

"I was notified by e-mail that we had a new student who wanted to sign up for golf," Hawks head coach Kelly Wheelock said. "I had no idea she was going to be this good. It's very exciting to watch somebody of that caliber. She's a great competitor. She'll continue to get better. She's very humble."

Janita placed first in the WAC individual standings.

Vongphoumy fired a 7-over-par 79 en route to capturing the title at the conference's year-end tournament.

She posted a near-perfect 7-1 record during the WAC dual season.

"Of course I wanted to beat her," Pfaff said. "But I can't be mad at anyone else for playing good golf."

Caitlin and Erica were selected to the WAC First Team.

Abigail, a top-10 player, garnered second-team all-conference recognition.

Pfaff, WAC MVP as a junior and sophomore, finished second in the league's individual standings this year.

"It's been a pleasure to coach her the last four years," Cerny said. "She was the glue that kept this team together. She made my job easier."

Hogner and Nou took fourth and fifth, respectively, at the WAC Championships.

"Erica's been an integral part of this team since she was a freshman," Cerny said. "She improved every year. Abigail's a very good golfer. When she hits the ball right, she can outdrive any girl in the league."

Pfaff, Hogner and Nou led the Bulldogs to unprecedented heights in 2014.

Undefeated in WAC play, Ceres High won all 12 of its dual matches. The Bulldogs also placed first at the conference's mid-season and year-end tournaments.

"We worked hard," Pfaff said.