Ceres High School's hasn't experienced much success in varsity volleyball since 2011.

The Bulldogs' combined record in Western Athletic Conference play over the past four seasons was 5-43.

Ceres High will strive for marked improvement under new leader Darlene Tobler's guidance.

Tobler was an assistant coach with the Bulldogs the previous two years. She was head coach of Ceres High's junior-varsity squad last season.

"I'm extremely excited to be in the positon I'm in," said Darlene, a 1995 Ceres High grad and former Bulldog volleyball player. "I coach the sport because I love it. These girls are like my daughters. I enjoy being a part of their lives."

Jessica Arreola (Sr.), Kadie Brenning (Sr.), Allyson Hailey (Sr.), Kaylee Holloway (Jr.), Kendall Meyer (Jr.), Shelby Veuve (So.), Sabrina Baisdon (Sr.), Kiera Brownlee (Jr.), Vanessa Guillory (Jr.), Breanna Moreno (Jr.), Madison Nash (So.) and Adriana Ortega Valdez (Jr.) earned roster spots on this year's team.

Arreola, Brenning, Hailey, Holloway, Meyer and Veuve are returners.
Baisdon, Brownlee, Guillory, Moreno, Nash and Ortega Valdez are newcomers.

"We're going back to the basics," Tobler said. "We're focusing on learning and fine tuning the fundamentals of the game. I'll try to bring the best out of each one of my players."

Meyer and Moreno were named team captains for the 2015 season.

"They're both very good leaders," Tobler said. "They're positive role models."

Baisdon, Ceres High's starting setter, returned to the team after taking last season off.

"She hustles," Tobler said. "She does not give up. She's an asset to our team."

Underclassmen Veuve and Nash are young and talented.

"They're a really good fit for our team," Tobler said. "They're good all-round players."

Ceres High has nowhere to go but up in 2015.

The Bulldogs compiled a 1-11 record en route to a last-place finish in the WAC standings a season ago.

Ceres High lost 3-2 and 3-1 to crosstown-rival Central Valley this past year. The Hawks placed third in conference play (8-5) and qualified for the playoffs for the first time.

A playoff participant from 2007-2010, the Bulldogs will seek a major turnaround this fall.

Tobler would consider this season a success if Ceres High posted a .500 record or better.

"I have very high expectations for my team," she said. "A lot of the girls got to play together last year. They work well together. They're extremely positive. They bring each other up. They're ready to put in the time and effort it takes to win. They really want it."