Led by seniors Gio Sio, Manny Ortega and Joshua Tagle, Ceres High’s boys volleyball team finished in fourth place in the Western Athletic Conference standings this spring.

Sio, Ortega and Tagle were rewarded for their outstanding play during the WAC’s year-end head coaches’ meeting.

“All three were crucial to the team,” Bulldogs’ leader Kelly Heese stated. “It will be tough to replace them.” 

Sio, a utility player/co-team captain, was selected to the WAC First Team.

He led the Bulldogs in kills.

“Clearly, Gio was a standout on our team. He was a leader. His teammates fed off him. He carried the team a lot of times with his kills. The reason he was successful was he was very coachable. He cared.  The sport was his passion and he loved it. You could see that in the way he played.

Ortega and Tagle were both honorable-mention, WAC selections.

Ortega, a middle blocker, led Ceres High in blocks.

“He was always positive,” Heese said. “He was very coachable. He was a great teammate. He did anything you asked him to do.”

Tagle, a libero/co-team captain, led the Bulldogs in digs.

He was also Ceres High’s emotional leader.

“I never thought he’d be able to accomplish what he did. He became a very strong player. He was a force to be reckoned with. He was very dedicated and determined. He was a great team builder and leader. He wanted to be better. Having the right mindset is half the battle.” 

Sio and Ortega were both three-year varsity players.

Tagle was a two-year contributor.

They played a combined five seasons together.

Ceres High experienced a major turnaround in 2025 thanks to their stellar play.

The Bulldogs enjoyed one of their most successful seasons to date by compiling an 11-9 overall record and placing fourth in the WAC with an 8-6 mark.

The top three teams in league qualified for the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs.

The Bulldogs went 6-19 and tied for fifth in the league standings (5-9) in 2024.