Central Valley High School's varsity volleyball team enjoyed its best season to date this fall.

With Julia Ramsey and Lynaya Lerma leading the way, the Hawks compiled an 8-5 record on their way to a third-place finish in the Western Athletic Conference standings.

Central Valley also made its first-ever playoff appearance.

Ramsey and Lerma were recognized in a vote by the conference's head coaches on Nov. 10 at Central Valley.

Julia was selected to the WAC First Team. The junior outside hitter/team captain led the Hawks in kills and ranked second in aces.

"She's meant a lot to our program," Central Valley head coach Kelly Heese said. "She's a club player. She's used to playing against stiffer competition."

Lerma, a senior middle, ranked first in blocks and second in kills during her third and final season with Central Valley.

"She had an important role on the team," Heese said. "She was a spitfire on the court. She had drive, will and intensity. She grew very confident in herself this season. It reflected on the court. She was capable of doing things she thought she couldn't do. She was a great team leader."

Central Valley's Erika Perez, Valerie Hamilton and Ryleigh Honberger were honorable-mention picks.

Perez, a senior middle, missed part of the year with a wrist injury.

"She works hard and has a great attitude," Heese said. "She was always there for her teammates. She gave 100 percent every single time on the court."

Hamilton and Honberger were key members of Ceres High's squad, which placed last in the WAC standings (1-11).

Valerie and Ryleigh will be lost to graduation in June.

"They really did a lot for our team," Bulldogs head coach Stephanie Hamilton said.

Ramsey and Lerma were among the 12 players to garner all-WAC recognition.

Heese was nominated for WAC Coach of the Year.