For the second year in a row, Central Valley’s varsity girls volleyball team failed to win a league match.

The Hawks finished in last place with an 0-12 record in the Central California Conference standings this fall.

“Going from that (playoffs in 2016) to zero losses my senior and junior years was hard to adjust to,” fourth-year player Anysia Lopez said. “I’m surprised we didn’t win a game. We definitely had the talent on our team.”

Central Valley lost 3-0 (25-14, 25-17, 25-11) to Merced on Oct. 21 in Ceres.

Lopez and fellow seniors Kaydee Peterman, Anusha Kumar and Nereyda Tavira (stat keeper) were recognized before the match.

“It was emotional,” Lopez said. “It was nice having all my family and friends there to support me.”

Central Valley closed out the season with a 3-1 loss (20-25, 25-21, 25-21, 25-12) at Patterson on Oct. 23.

“The main thing that motivated me and the other seniors was it was our last year,” Lopez said. “We wanted to have good memories. She (head coach Regina Selfridge) tried to push us to our full potential.”

Lopez had four kills, one block and one dig during her final match.

Peterman had 29 digs.

Kumar had nine digs, five kills and three aces.

Mony Chhoeum had 11 digs, five aces and four kills.

Azalia Diaz had 10 digs, seven kills and seven kills.

Sejal Malhi had three kills and three aces.

Siera Sandoval had three digs.

Sam Espinoza had two kills and one dig.

Phusadee Sivongxay had one dig.

Lopez believes Central Valley will experience success in the future. 

“I know what they’re capable of,” she said. “I see it in practice. They just need to believe in each other more.”

GIRLS TENNIS

A newcomer to singles play, Central Valley High School junior Virginia Moore finished in the top 8 while competing at the Central California Conference Varsity Girls Tennis Tournament on Oct. 17 in Merced.

Moore beat one of her two opponents.

She topped Livingston’s Ariana Walker 6-0, 6-3 in the first round.

Moore lost 6-3, 6-3 to El Capitan’s Riddhi Parikh in the quarterfinals.

“Going into the year, we expected her to have success,” head coach Mike Rodriguez said. “She put in a lot of work during the summer.”

Moore compiled a 10-6 record against CCC competition.

She won nine of 14 matches at No. 2 singles during the regular season.

Moore logged playing time at No. 1 doubles as a sophomore.

“It’s her first year playing singles,” Rodriguez said. “She had a pretty solid year. She kept improving.”

Bandna Bhatti also represented Central Valley at the CCC Championships.

She lost 7-5, 3-6, 10-7 to Atwater’s Jaqueline Molina-Berber in the opening round.

Bhatti squandered a 7-6 lead in the decisive set.

“It was a matchup we were hoping for,” Rodriguez said. “She played that girl close twice during the year. Her effort was good. She played hard. She just couldn’t close out.”

Bhatti posted a 6-9 record in CCC play.

She won six of 14 matches at No. 1 singles during the regular season.

She started at No. 6 singles as a sophomore.

“She added to her game during the course of the year,” Rodriguez said. 

 Rodriguez believes Moore and Bhatti will be even more competitive on the hardcourts next fall.

“They love to play,” he said. They’re good friends. They push each other to be better.”

CROSS COUNTRY

Ceres High varsity boys cross country runner Gonzalo Rivera was missing one of his shoes when he crossed the finish line at the 12th Annual Hughson Supercross Invitational on Oct. 19.

 “We had quite a few kids lose shoes in the mud pit,” Bulldogs’ head coach Katie Thiele said. “That was an obstacle to overcome. They just kept going. The course is mostly on grass so it isn’t too difficult.”

Ceres High’s varsity boys cross country team totaled 352 points en route to a 15th-place finish.

Fabian Amparo was the Bulldogs’ top placer.

He took 42nd with a time of 14 minutes, 55 seconds on the 2.5-mile course.

Ceres High’s Bryan Erenas (15:10), Gonzalo Rivera (15:55), Jossue Portillo (15:57), Brian Estrada (16:52), Kevin Wise (17:46) and Isaias Carreon (20:12) finished 49th, 79th, 82nd, 125th, 149th and 168th, respectively.

Central Valley’s varsity boys did not post a team score due to a lack of numbers.

The Hawks had just three individuals compete, including Alejandro Gonzalez (87th, 16:00), Patric Senesom (157th, 18:17) and David Cuevas (158th, 18:18).

Ceres High’s varsity girls (11th, 299 points) finished six spots ahead of Central Valley (17th, 439) in the team standings.

Jackie Rodriguez (30th, 18:06) led the Bulldogs, followed by Diana Del Real Serrano (55th, 19:04), Wendy Lizola (57th, 19:09), Elizabeth Mercado (101st, 21:00) and Elizabeth Soto (110th, 21:32).

Priscilla Garcia (64th, 19:21) paced the Hawks.

Kelsy Naranjo (102nd, 21:03), Abigail Garcia (122nd, 22:11), Aryanna Jimenez (123rd, 22:13), Adriana Huaracha (124th, 22:20) and Carla Martinez (131st, 23:02) rounded out Central Valley’s lineup.

The course featured a mud pit and sections of hay bales.

“It adds more fun to the race,” Thiele said.