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Marifer Ochoa wins second league title, matches older and younger brothers
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Ceres Highs Marifer Ochoa won all 16 of her league matches this year. Ochoa also captured her second singles title. - photo by DALE BUTLER/The Courier

Marifer Ochoa added to her family's impressive legacy.

The Ceres High School varsity girls tennis standout won her second Western Athletic Conference singles championship.

"I wanted it really bad," Marifer Ochoa said.

Ochoa posted a 4-0 record on her way to a first-place finish at Del Rio Country Club.

She won by default versus second-seeded Payton Kelley of Central Catholic in the finals on Oct. 31.

"Marifer wanted to play," Bulldogs head coach Jack Jacques said. "The other girl had a family commitment."
"It felt a little empty winning without playing," Ochoa said.

Ochoa collected wins against Central Catholic's Amie Ardis (6-1, 6-0), Los Banos' Jacquelin Arretche (6-0, 6-0) and Central Valley's Ali Martinez (6-0, 6-0) earlier in the tournament.

Marifer had a perfect 16-0 mark in WAC play this year.
"I tried really hard not to lose," Ochoa said. "It's an improvement from last year."

The Ochoa siblings have won a combined six league crowns.

Older brother Luis, a 2010 Ceres High grad, won a pair of league titles and Most Valuable Player awards.

Younger brother Julio captured WAC titles his freshman and sophomore years (2013, 2012). He was voted conference MVP twice.

"I'm following in my older brother's footsteps," Marifer said. "He's always been one of the best players around. There is pressure to perform at a high level."

Marifer ranks No. 2 on Ceres High's all-time greatest girls tennis player list behind McKenzy Harden (class of 2010).

McKenzy compiled a 161-9 overall record and won three Valley Oak League titles and MVP awards.

Marifer had a .906 winning percentage (58-6) in league. She was a four-time WAC finals participant. Ochoa won three MVP awards.

"I feel like I could have done better," Ochoa said. "I definitely want to play tennis in college. I want to stay in California. Stanislaus State might be an option."

"She comes from an awesome family," said Bryan Harden, Marifer's head coach from 2010-12. "They absolutely love the game ... She really didn't have any competition this year. It's not her fault. She's an awesome player. She's always been coachable. She can definitely compete at the next level."

Bulldog teammate Angelica Slater lost 6-0, 6-0 to Marchese in the round of 16 at the WAC singles tourney.

Ceres High's Bryanna Lopez and Stephanie Garcia, and Janet Jimenez and Juliana Rosas advanced to the quarterfinal round at the WAC doubles tournament.

Lopez and Garcia posted a 6-4, 7-6 (7-3) victory over Livingston's Elisa Armenta and Christine Gallardo 6-4, 7-6 (7-3) in the round of 16.

Bryanna and Stephanie lost 6-0, 6-4 to Patterson's Kelby Norfleet and Kendal Norfleet.

Jimenez and Rosas defeated Livingston's Genesis Benitez and Amalia Barragan in straight sets (6-4, 6-1).

Janet and Juliana lost 6-0, 6-0 to eventual doubles champion Amie Ardis and Emma Withrow of Central Catholic.