By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Perez named Ceres High’s Female Athlete of the Year
Vianney Perez
Senior Vianney Perez has been named Ceres High School’s Female Athlete of the Year. Perez earned six varsity letters, including four in softball and two in volleyball. - photo by DALE BUTLER/ Courier file photo

Senior Vianney Perez has been named Ceres High School’s Female Athlete of the Year.

Bulldog Athletic Director John Bussard shared the news with Perez last week.

“She was one of the best softball players in the area,” Bussard said. “She was also a productive member of the volleyball program. Total team player. Great student-athlete.”

“I feel really honored to get this award,” Perez said. “I’m definitely not taking it for granted. There are a lot of great athletes that came before me.”

Perez earned six varsity letters during her prep athletic career, including four in softball and two in volleyball.

She was a four-year standout in softball.

“I’m not surprised he won the award. She’s a good student, kid and athlete. She’s a great team leader. Her desire to work hard and want to be the best made her have success.”
Mike Corsaut

“I’m not surprised she won the award,” said Mike Corsaut, Perez’s head coach for the past two seasons. “She’s a good student, kid and athlete. She’s a great team leader. Her desire to work hard and want to be the best made her have success.”

“I tried to lead by example,” Perez added.

Perez was enjoying her best season to date with the Bulldogs before the 2020 campaign was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

She batted .636 (14-for-22) from the plate with two homers, two triples, six RBIs and 14 runs while batting leadoff for 6-2 Ceres High.

Perez had on-base, slugging and on-base plus slugging percentages of .724, 1.090 and 1.815, respectively.

She ranked first on the team in batting average, hits, homers, triples, RBIs, runs, on-base percentage, slugging percentage and on-base plus slugging percentage.

“I put in a lot of extra work outside of regular practices,” she said. 

Perez earned first-team all-conference honors her junior, sophomore and freshman years.

She would have been in the running for the 2020 WAC Most Valuable Player award had the season not been cut short.

In 76 career games, Perez posted a batting average of .414 with 99 hits, 16 homers, 11 triples, 20 doubles, 72 RBIs and 83 runs. 

She had slugging and on-base percentages of .790 and .478.

Perez helped lead Ceres High to 51 wins, two conference titles and three playoff appearances.

The Bulldogs won league championships her junior and freshman years.

“I did the best I could for my coaches and team,” she said.

Perez was an honorable-mention selection in volleyball as a junior.

“It was a fun sport to play,” she said. “We always got pushed by our coaches. We tried to improve each year.”

Perez had a cumulative grade-point average of 3.6

 “School has always a priority,” she said. “I learned about time management at a young age.”

Perez’s senior class schedule consisted of anatomy, Finite Math, government, English, leadership and Peer Assisted Learning (works with special-needs students).

“Each year, I’ve grown as a person and player,” she said. “I’ve learned so many different things. I tried to be a role model for other students and my teammates.”

Perez earned a softball scholarship to Cal State Monterey Bay.

She will major in psychology.

“It took a lot of hard work,” Perez said. “It didn’t happen overnight. Me and my family have made a lot of sacrifices for this.”

“I don’t regret choosing softball over a social life,” she added.

 Ceres High will be sending another softball player to the college ranks.

Perez follows in the footsteps of Nicole “Sis” Bates (Washington), Mahlena O’Neal (Georgia), Callie Nunes (Concordia University), Rayohna Sagapolu (San Jose State) and Shania Evans (Humboldt State).

“I’ve always looked up to them (Sis, Mahlena and Callie),” she said. “They worked hard to get to where they are. They showed it doesn’t matter where you come from. You can accomplish any goal you have.”