Ceres High’s girls volleyball team continued its run of success versus crosstown-rival Central Valley.

The Bulldogs bested the Hawks 3-1 (26-24, 24-26, 25-19, 25-18) in Western Athletic Conference play at home on Sept. 28 at Phil de la Porte Gymnasium.

“Crosstown is a game that everyone looks forward to,” said Ceres High assistant coach Jessica Ramos, who filled in for older sister Nayeli who was unable to attend the match due to another commitment. “The girls came in super excited to play their rivals. They succeeded because they maintained high energy and effort throughout the whole four sets.”

Kamea Brown, Priya Martinez and Laylah Perez led the Bulldogs (5-11 overall, 2-5 WAC).

Sofia Garibay, Amirrah Cornielle and Jade Delagrande led the Hawks (6-14, 3-6).

The Bulldogs ended a three-match losing streak.

Ramos praised all of her players.

“This is a match they wanted to win,” she said. “The effort on the court showed how bad they wanted it.”

The Ramos sisters, Jessica and Nayeli, both have ties to Central Valley.

Jessica (2024) and Nayeli (2019) graduated from the high school.

They also played volleyball there.

Nayeli coached girls and boys volleyball at Central Valley from 2020-25.

She was an assistant coach for the varsity boys team last spring.

Nayeli led Central Valley’s junior-varsity girls to a second-place finish in the WAC standings (10-4) in 2025.

“Coaching JV volleyball gave me a strong foundation,” Nayeli Ramos stated. “It helped me develop coaching skills and become a leader.

Ceres High has won eight of its last nine meetings versus Central Valley.

The Bulldogs prevailed twice by identical scores of 3-0 a year ago.

The Hawks closed the competitive gap during the latest meeting.

“You can tell both teams really want to win,” Jessica Ramos said while talking about the crosstown rivalry.

GIRLS TENNIS

Central Valley’s girls tennis program had no room for error prior to competing against Western Athletic Conference-rivals Beyer and Pacheco last week.

Vying for its first win in WAC play, Ceres High dropped a pair of matches.

“The girls knew what was at stake,” Hawks’ head coach Nimrat Chahal said. “If we didn’t win, we wouldn’t be able to win league again. Beyer would have a two-game lead over us.

Central Valley moved into a tie for first place atop the WAC standings with Beyer after winning the second meeting between the two teams 7-2 on Oct. 7 in Ceres.

The Hawks avenged a 5-4 loss and kept their conference title hopes alive.

Central Valley and Beyer have identical 9-1 records.

“The first time we played them, we were missing two of our doubles girls,” Chahal said. “They were missing their top player. They were at full-strength this time. We were at full-strength. We knew it was going to be tough. Beyer has a very strong team. Their girls play hard.”

Central Valley swept all three doubles matches versus Beyer this past week.

Aaralyn Jauregui and Lauren Salvatera prevailed 6-0, 6-2 in No. 1 doubles play.

Lizeth Tafolla and Isabella Michelena prevailed 7-5, 6-0 in No. 2 doubles play.

Karla Robles and Victoria Jaime Dominguez prevailed 6-2, 6-4 in No. 3 doubles play.

The Hawks won four of six singles matches against the Patriots.

Emily Carranza prevailed 6-1, 6-4 in No. 1 singles play.

Serath Birring prevailed 6-2, 6-2 in No. 2 singles play.

Valerie Espinoza prevailed 6-3, 6-2 in No. 3 singles play.

Yahiza Bustos prevailed 6-3, 2-6, 6-2 in No. 5 singles play.

Central Valley defeated Pacheco 7-2 on Oct. 5 in Los Banos.

The Hawks won all three doubles and four of six singles matches versus the Panthers.

Jauregui and Salvatera prevailed 6-0, 6-0 in No. 1 doubles play.

Tafolla and Michelena prevailed 6-2, 6-3 in No. 2 doubles play.

Victoria Jaime Dominguez and Costanza Jaime Dominguez prevailed 6-2, 6-1 in No. 3 doubles play.

Carranza prevailed 7-6 (7-4), 5-7, 10-3 in No. 1 singles play.

Espinoza prevailed 6-0, default in No. 3 singles play.

Natalia Campos prevailed 6-3, 5-7, 10-7 in No. 4 singles play.

Samantha Sarabia Zavala prevailed by forfeit in No. 6 singles play.

The Hawks are vying for their third consecutive WAC title.

“It’s the girls,” Chahal said. “When you get players that buy in, it makes coaching easier and more fun.”

Ceres High fell to 0-10 in the WAC standings after losing 7-2 at Lathrop on Oct. 7.

The Bulldogs won two of three doubles matches against the Spartans.

Amy Gonzalez and Giselle Valdez Moreno prevailed 7-5, 2-6, 7-6 in No. 1 doubles play.

Briseyda Erenas Rios and Marisol Gomez prevailed 6-2, 6-3 in No. 3 doubles play.

Ceres High dropped all six singles matches to Lathrop.

Ceres High lost 6-3 to visiting Johansen on Oct. 5.

The Bulldogs won two of three doubles and one of five singles matches versus the Vikings.

Michelle Salas and Kiara Gutierrez prevailed 6-3, 6-1 in No. 2 doubles play.

Gomez and Erenas Rios prevailed 6-1, 6-3 in No. 3 doubles play.

Helena Trujillo prevailed 6-1, 6-2 in No. 1 singles play.

FLAG FOOTBALL

Central Valley’s girls flag football program finds itself in the middle of the race for a Sac-Joaquin Section playoff spot.

Ceres High has an outside shot at securing a postseason berth.

“One thing I noticed from the team is they’re playing with more confidence,” Hawks’ head coach Tony Cordova said. “They’re not afraid of anyone anymore. That’s been the biggest difference.”

Central Valley took over sole possession of second place in the Western Athletic Conference standings after winning its third consecutive game.

The Hawks improved to 7-12 overall and 6-4 in the WAC with a 14-12 victory against the Beyer Patriots on Oct. 7 in Ceres.

The Patriots (7-8, 4-6) dropped to sixth place.

Central Valley is vying for its second straight playoff appearance.

“I’m very excited,” Cordova said. “The girls are determined. They want it. It’s not going to be given to them.”

Central Valley’s Nelmarie Diaz, Ayleen Apreza and Alexa Palacios combined for 201 rushing yards on 27 carries.

Diaz carried the ball 10 times for 107 yards and passed for 85 yards and one touchdown at quarterback.

Apreza ran for 42 yards and one touchdown on eight carries.

Palacios gained 52 yards on nine carries.

Victoria Mendoza had a 52-yard touchdown reception.

Analia Diaz led Central Valley’s defense with eight flag pulls.

Alicia Torres had three flag pulls and one interception.

Ceres High dropped to 6-12 overall and seventh place in the WAC with a 4-6 mark after losing 38-0 at Lathrop on Oct. 7.

The first-place Spartans (15-3, 9-1) outscored the Bulldogs 26-0 in the first half.

WATER POLO

Ceres High’s and Central Valley’s water polo programs had mixed results versus Western Athletic Conference opponents last week.

Ceres High’s boys team improved to 7-7 overall and 5-5 in the WAC with a 16-10 win at Lathrop on Oct. 8.

Ceres High snapped a three-match losing streak with an 8-4 victory over visiting Johansen on Oct. 6.

Ceres High’s girls team improved to 2-7 overall and 2-6 in the WAC after coasting to a 15-8 win against Johansen.

Central Valley’s boys team dropped to 5-7 on the season and 4-5 in conference play with a 14-9 loss at Pacheco on Oct. 6.

Central Valley’s girls team dropped to 3-7 on the year and 2-6 in league after losing 12-9 to Pacheco.