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McCaig wins league MVP award again, CHS teammates receive high praise
CVs Rodriguez voted WAC Coach of the Year
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Nolan McCaig was named Western Athletic Conference MVP for the second year in a row. The sophomore won all 16 of his league matches. - photo by DALE BUTLER/Courier file photo

Sophomore Nolan McCaig has been voted Western Athletic Conference Most Valuable Player for the second year in a row.

The two-time WAC varsity boys singles champion from Ceres High has yet to taste defeat in league play during his career.

McCaig's amassed a perfect 29-0 record.

"He's the best defensive high-school player I've ever seen play," Bulldogs head coach Bryan Harden said. "He's so relentless. He's able to extend points. You have to hit two or three winners against him. He frustrates kids. He also has many offensive skills."

McCaig, Julio Ochoa, Chase Harden, Rene Cortes, Dennis Phommalinh, Manny Jimenez, Jorge Ruiz, Julian Rodriguez, Manuel Lozcano and Alex Torres helped propel the Bulldogs to their fourth straight WAC crown (12-0).

The Bulldogs have reeled off 42 straight wins in conference play dating back to the 2012 season.

"It makes you feel good as a coach when your players are dominating their league," coach Harden said. "They're all deserving of recognition."

Ochoa, Chase Harden, Rene Cortes, and Central Valley's Edgar Castillo all received first-team all-conference honors.

Ochoa shared the MVP award with McCaig in 2014.

Julio amassed a near-perfect 41-1 record in WAC play during his four-year career.

He was voted conference MVP three times.

Ochoa captured WAC singles titles his sophomore and freshman years.

"I'm definitely going to miss him," coach Harden said. "He's such a great kid."

Chase Harden, Ceres High's No. 3 singles player, won all 12 of his matches during the WAC regular season.

Harden's combined record for the past three seasons was 36-0.

"I couldn't be more proud of him as his coach and father," Bryan Harden said. "I knew what to expect from him. He was steady. He always played hard. He was very competitive. He didn't like to lose. He was all about the team."

Cortes, Ceres High's No. 4 singles player, had a perfect 12-0 record this year.

"He's a very determined individual and he's very smart," coach Harden said.

Castillo contributed at No. 3 singles.

Dennis Phommalinh and Manny Jimenez, and Central Valley's Alexis Villa, Eric Morales and Ruben Morales were named to the WAC Second Team.

Phommalinh and Jimenez, Ceres High's top doubles team, collected 11 wins and no losses.

"It was a good combination," Bryan Harden said. "Skill-wise, no one in league was close to them. They were far superior. They dominated."

Alexis, Eric and Ruben logged playing time at No. 2, 4 and 5 singles, respectively.

Ruiz, Rodriguez, Lozcano and Torres, and Central Valley's Brandyn Weis were honorable-mention selections.

Ruiz and Rodriguez, Ceres High's No. 2 doubles team, amassed an 11-0 record.

Lozcano and Torres, the Bulldogs' No. 3 doubles team, had a 6-0 mark together.

Weis was the Hawks' No. 6 singles player.

Central Valley's Mike Rodriguez was named WAC Coach of the Year.

The Hawks accomplished a first by finishing in second place in the conference standings (10-2).

Central Valley also secured its second straight playoff berth. The Hawks participated in the postseason for the first time in program history in 2014.

Ceres High qualified for the playoffs for the sixth consecutive year.