Central Valley’s varsity girls tennis team closed out the 2018 Central California Conference regular season on Oct. 16 with a 9-0 victory over visiting Patterson.
Hawk senior players Lupe Becerra, Sunaina Dhillon, Mixtly Vega, Elisabeth Valdez, Daniela Yepez, Lizbeth Martinez and Priscilla Sanchez were honored during a pre-match ceremony.
“It’s bittersweet. I’m definitely proud of them for what they accomplished. There’s sadness, too, knowing this could be their last home match.”Coach Mike Rodriguez
“It’s bittersweet,” head coach Mike Rodriguez said. “I’m definitely proud of them for what they accomplished. There’s sadness, too, knowing this could be their last home match. We’ve built a bond the last three years.”
Central Valley swept all six singles and three doubles matches against Patterson.
Becerra bested Marissa Tellas 6-0, 6-1 in No. 1 singles play.
Gianna Arce bested Danielle Werra in No. 2 singles play.
Sunaina Dhillon bested Jasmine Perez 6-3, 6-1 in No. 3 singles play.
Vega bested Jovana Camberos 4-6, 6-4, 10-5 in No. 4 singles play.
Valdez bested Aaliyah McDonald 6-1, 6-2 in No. 5 singles play.
Bandna Bhatti bested Jocelyn Gomez 6-3, 6-1 in No. 6 singles play.
Yepez and Virginia Moore bested Lois Lopez and Manpreet Kaur 6-0, 6-1 in No. 1 doubles play.
Martinez and Christina Hermenegildo bested Freshta Aziz and Morgan Lopez 6-7, 76-2, 10-6 in No. 2 doubles play.
Sanchez and Sabina Dhillon bested Jasmine Collins and Melyza Guzman 7-6, 6-7, 10-8 in No. 3 doubles play.
The Hawks posted a program-best 14-4 overall record during the regular season.
“It’s a pretty good accomplishment for the girls,” Rodriguez said. “They work hard. They’re a fun group to be around.”
Newcomers to the CCC, the Hawks won 12 of 14 matches en route to a second-place finish.
First-place El Capitan edged Central Valley twice (5-4, 6-3).
“It was a step up in competition from the WAC,” Rodriguez said. “There was a lot of parody. The girls played well for the most part all year. We didn’t win league but we got back to playoffs.”
Central Valley has qualified for the postseason four times in the past five years.
The Hawks will compete in the first round of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division-II playoffs on Oct. 29. Opponent has yet to be determined.
