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Morales, Garcia lead Hawks' tennis to record heights
Ruben, Henry enjoy memorable careers with CV
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Ruben Morales earned first-team all-Western Athletic Conference honors for the second year in a row. Morales compiled a 9-6 record at No. 1 singles for the second year in a row. - photo by DALE BUTLER/Courier file photo

Ruben Morales and Henry Garcia both enjoyed memorable final seasons with Central Valley's varsity boys tennis program.

Morales and Garcia were selected to the Western Athletic Conference First Team in a vote by the league's head coaches in April at Livingston High School Ruben and Henry helped guide the Hawks to a fourth-place finish in the WAC standings (7-8).

Central Valley lost 5-4 four times, including twice to both conference-champion Ceres High (14-1) and second-place Livingston (13-2).

"We're losing two quality players," Hawks' leader Mike Rodriguez said. "They helped our younger guys get better."

Ruben compiled a 9-6 record at No. 1 singles.

"He had a great career," Rodriguez said. "He worked his way up the ladder. His first year, he played doubles. Playing No. 1 singles is a tough spot to be in."

Morales earned first-team all-conference honors for the second year in a row.

He compiled a 4-8 record against WAC competition as a junior.

Ruben was a second-team selection at No. 5 singles in 2015.

Garcia posted a near-perfect 14-1 record.

His main spot in the lineup was at No. 3 singles.

Henry also logged playing time at No. 2 and 4 singles.

"He made a huge jump from when he first started," Rodriguez said. "He hit a lot with Ruben in the offseason."

Central Valley's varsity boys tennis program reached new heights thanks in large part to the play of Morales and Garcia.

The Hawks amassed a 30-22 record against WAC competition and participated in the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs twice during Ruben's four-year career.

Garcia was a three-year player.

"It's going to be hard to replace those two guys," Rodriguez said.