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Hawks edge Bulldogs, upset by Wolves in league play
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Jacquelyn Sanchez (9) collected five digs and three aces in Central Valleys 3-2 upset loss to Livingston last Wednesday in Ceres. - photo by DALE BUTLER/The Courier

Central Valley varsity girls volleyball head coach Kelly Heese was fuming following Wednesday's 3-2 (21-25, 25-13, 25-21, 16-25, 17-15) loss to visiting Livingston.

Two days earlier, the Hawks eked out a 3-2 (25-22, 21-25, 25-21, 7-25, 15-9) win against host Ceres High.

"Their performance on the court is not where it should be," said Heese, whose team dropped into a three-way tie for third place in the Western Athletic Conference standings at 5-6 with Ceres High and Patterson. "They've literally lost all of their drive. It's very disappointing. They're not going to like practice tomorrow."

Central Valley's Blanca Espinoza collected eight digs and one ace against last-place Livingston (3-8).

Mariana Garibay added seven kills, one block, one dig and one ace.

Adria Robinson had six blocks, two kills, one dig and one ace.

Anysia Lopez had six blocks and two kills.

Jacquelyn Sanchez had five digs and three aces.

Kayla Walker had five digs, two kills, two aces and one block.

Carmen Sanchez had five digs, one kill and one ace.

Brianna Quiroz had four kills and two blocks.

Marissa Camarillo had two kills and one block.

Chetna Kumar had one dig.

Central Valley defeated Livingston 3-2 (17-25, 25-18, 25-19, 22-25, 15-12) and 3-0 (25-22, 25-23, 25-15) earlier this season.

The Hawks squandered 5-1 and 9-5 leads in the decisive set during the third meeting.

"Just because you have the lead, you can't stop playing," Heese said. "You have to want it more than your opponent. They got lazy. It's irritating."

Central Valley improved its head-to-head record against Ceres High to 2-0.

Garibay led the Hawks with 14 kills and two aces during the second meeting.

Espinoza tallied 10 digs.

Robinson totaled five kills.

Heese was critical of her team's performance.

"Ceres High was making mistakes and giving us points," Heese said. "We didn't run our offense. There was just no communication on the court."

The Hawks' final four opponents are Los Banos, Pacheco, Patterson and Ceres High.

"Outside of Los Banos, we should be undefeated," Heese said. "We're not progressing. We're regressing. To be honest with you, I don't know who we're going to beat."

Central Valley had high expectations for the 2016 season.

The Hawks participated in the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs the past two years.

"They do not deserve to go to playoffs," Heese said. "I don't want to drive two to three hours and get slaughtered. It is what it is. There's always next year."