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Tobler expects CHS to contend for playoff spot
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Ceres Highs varsity girls volleyball team returns four players from last years team, including senior Breanna Moreno (pictured). - photo by DALE BUTLER/The Courier

Second-year head coach Darlene Tobler has Ceres High's varsity girls volleyball program headed in the right direction.

The Bulldogs quadrupled their win total from 2014 last year.

Ceres High will strive for continued success this fall.

"I have high expectations for my team," Tobler said. "We have a great group of student-athletes. Some of our strengths are their willingness to work hard to improve and their dedication to the program. Because we only have four returning varsity players, we are a young team and still working on blending as a team. We are coming along quickly to build a solid foundation."

Tobler finalized her roster this past week.

The Bulldogs return four players from a season ago, including Breanna Moreno (Sr.), Kendall Meyer (Sr.), Madison Nash (Jr.) and Shelby Veuve (Jr.).

Raimee Mendoza (Sr.), Rayohna Sagapolu (Sr.), Carli Gomes (Jr.), Ayannah O'Neal (Jr.), Karina Pulido (Jr.), Diana Zarco (Jr.), Tiana Rogers (So.) and Alyssa Stiles (So.) are newcomers.

Gomes, O'Neal, Pulido, Rogers and Stiles competed at the junior-varsity level last season.

Jessica Arreola, Sabrina Baisdon, Kadie Brenning and Ally Hailey were lost to graduation.

Arreola earned second-team all-conference honors for her outstanding play as a senior.

Moreno, Meyer and Nash were named team captains.
"I'm very excited about this team," Tobler said. "I can't wait to see how much they will improve and what they do in league. I am thankful to be their coach."

Ceres High posted a 4-8 record on its way to tying for fourth place in the Western Athletic Conference standings with Patterson in 2015.

The Bulldogs struggled to a last-place finish in the WAC (1-11) in 2014.

Ceres High's combined record in conference play from 2011-14 was 5-43.

The Bulldogs had their string of consecutive Sac-Joaquin Section playoff appearances snapped at four seasons in 2010.

"Playoffs are definitely a possibility and that is our goal," Tobler said.

The Western Athletic Conference sent three teams to the playoffs in 2015, including El Capitan, Central Valley and Los Banos.

El Capitan's departure to the Central California Conference levels the playing field in the WAC.

The Gauchos won all 12 of their matches in 2015.

Central Valley (10-3), Los Banos (9-4), Livingston (3-9) and Pacheco (1-11) placed second, third, fifth and sixth, respectively.

Ceres High will play each team three times.

Ceres High defeated Central Valley twice by identical 3-0 scores last fall.

"El Capitan had a wonderful program with very strong athletes and we wish them well in their new league," Tobler said. "We have a wonderful group of coaches and athletes in our league. We always look forward to playing Central Valley. My girls have friends on their team and it's always good and positive competition."