Ceres High’s and Central Valley’s girls volleyball programs had a combined seven players garner all-conference recognition this fall.

Ceres High’s Genesis Sio, Bella Bravo, Kamea Brown and Priya Martinez, and Central Valley’s Gabriela Delatorre, Sofia Garibay and Kassandra Torres were rewarded for their outstanding play during the Western Athletic Conference’s year-end head coaches’ meeting.

Sio and Bravo were both named to the WAC First Team.

Sio, a senior, led the Bulldogs in both kills and blocks.

“She learned how to move the ball, get around the block and find holes on the court,” Heese said. “She played smarter.”

Bravo, a senior, ranked second on the team in kills.

“Once we got on the same page, it benefitted her all-round,” Heese said. “She dominated.”

Bravo was a three-year varsity contributor.

“A lot of growth as an individual,” Heese said. “She’s very competitive. She takes it personal. She puts a lot of pressure on herself.”

Delatorre and Brown were named to the WAC Second Team.

Delatorre, a senior co-captain, filled a key role on offense.

She ranked first on the team in assists, aces and blocks, second in digs, and fourth in kills.

“Gabriela has worked really hard the last two years as a varsity setter,” Central Valley head coach Courtney Dayoff said. “Other teams learned and watched her tactics and built their defense around her on several occasions.”

Brown, a sophomore, ranked second on the team in both assists and aces.

“She’s definitely a great asset to the team,” Heese said.  “She’s an athlete. She just wants to play.”

A setter during club volleyball, Brown logged playing time at libero with the Bulldogs.

“She did what was best for the team,” Heese said. “She was a team player.”

Martinez, Garibay and Torres were WAC honorable-mention selections.

Martinez, a junior, ranked first on the team in both assists and aces.

“She’s an amazing setter."

Garibay, a junior, ranked first on the team in aces and digs, second in kills and assists, and third in blocks. 

“Sofia is a positive leader on and off the court,” said Dayoff. “She will be an asset next year.”

Torres, a junior, ranked first on the team in kills, third in aces and blocks, fifth in assists, and sixth in digs.

“She always stepped up to whatever position I asked her to play and she will also be an asset during her senior season,” Dayoff said.

Sio and Bravo will be lost to graduation this June.

“It’s going to be a huge loss,” Heese said. “They were both great utility players. You could put them anywhere.”

Ceres High (8-6) and Central Valley (2-12) placed fourth and seventh, respectively, in the WAC standings.

The Bulldogs bested the Hawks twice this season in straight sets (3-0, 3-0).

Ceres High has won seven of its last eight meetings versus Central Valley dating back to the 2019 season.