Ceres High varsity softball standout Vianney Perez was selected to the Western Athletic Conference First Team for the second consecutive year.

“I do set my expectations very high,” she said. “I’m never satisfied with how I perform. I want to keep getting better every day.”

Fellow Bulldog contributors Andrea Duran, Branda Villalpando and Rebecca DeLeon all earned second-team all-league honors.

“They definitely deserve it,” Perez said. “They played hard. They did their job.”

Vian batted .484 from the plate with one homer, one triple, one double, six RBIs, six runs and one stolen base this year.

The senior shortstop posted slugging and on-base percentages of .774 and .529, respectively.

“With Callie (Nunes) and Rayohna (Sagapolu) leaving, we were missing leaders,” Perez said. “I had to step up. It’s always fun being looked at as a leader on the team. I take a lot of pride in that. I know how big of a deal it is. I’ll never take it for granted. Of course there’s always pressure. Depending on how you handle it, it will determine if you succeed or not.”

Nicole “Sis” Bates, Perez’s predecessor, had an illustrious four-year career with the Bulldogs.

Bates earned a scholarship to the University of Washington.

She’ll play for the USA Women’s National Team this summer.

“I’ve known about her (Bates) since I was little,” Perez said. “She’s always been a great player. It’s fun watching her play. I look up to her a lot. I want to fill her shoes as much as I can.”

Duran, a senior second baseman, batted .306 with three doubles, six RBIs and five runs.

She was selected to the WAC First Team in 2017.

Villalpando, a junior catcher, was a repeat selection to the WAC Second Team.

She batted .323 with two doubles, five RBIs and one run.

DeLeon, a sophomore, compiled a 4-5 record at pitcher with 31 strikeouts and one save.

She also contributed on offense.

Rebecca batted .382 with three doubles, three RBIs, four runs and one stolen base.

The Bulldogs posted a 5-5 record on their way to finishing in third place in the WAC standings.

Ceres High had two streaks end in 2018.

The Bulldogs qualified for the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs the previous six years.

Ceres High claimed four consecutive conference titles from 2014-17.

“I’m excited for next year,” Perez said. “I think we’re going to do way better. Our bond has grown.”