Balers inch closer to evening up record at 13-13
With a decisive 3-0 victory over Everett Alvarez on Tuesday, the
Balers’ girls volleyball team has started to roll – winning its
fourth-straight match to move its record to 4-2 in league and 11-13
overall.
Balers inch closer to evening up record at 13-13
With a decisive 3-0 victory over Everett Alvarez on Tuesday, the Balers’ girls volleyball team has started to roll – winning its fourth-straight match to move its record to 4-2 in league and 11-13 overall.
After a sluggish start to the season – where the Balers dropped their first two league matches and three of their four non-league games – they have found the right formula for success.
“We are practicing really hard and we are playing really hard,” Katherine Breger said. “We are just keeping our momentum up and we are just playing really good so when we play the really hard teams in league, hopefully, we’ll beat them.”
And the team shuffled around its lineup to highlight its strength: Experience in its tallest players.
Among them are Breger, Ellie Burley and Megan Kelley.
The three, who are among the tallest girls on the floor every night, dominated the net for San Benito, pilling up the blocks and kills.
“They do have some good height,” head coach Dean Askanas said. “They have some good athleticism and speed so, hopefully, we keeping rolling.”
And Tuesday, against Everett Alvarez those strengths showed.
Kelley had nine kills in the San Benito sweep, as she was the main offensive force throughout the night. Kelley won the game in the third and deciding set when she stepped to the net and blocked an Everett Alvarez shot. Breger contributed seven kills and a block during the night.
“I think we have the best athletes on the floor. It took us a while to find the right mix but I think we are as close to the right mix as we are going to be.”
Burley hung around the net all night to grab seven kills and four blocks.
“They had a nice game,” Askanas said.
But the win, and the three prior, have started to build the confidence of the team that expects to battle for a Tri-County Athletic League championship and a place in the playoffs.
“This is important to us,” Breger said. “We are just taking it from all of our previous wins and that momentum. We are going to use all of those wins and do our best.”
The success dates back to the Balers focusing on their most experienced players and beating Notre Dame in the first week of October, Askanas said.
“For us, a big thing … beating Notre Dame was big, we haven’t beat them in five years,” Askanas said. “Our middle blockers are playing all the way around because they are good athletes. I think we have the best athletes on the floor. It took us a while to find the right mix but I think we are as close to the right mix as we are going to be.”
And the wins have started to build the teams confidence as the season continues and matches get tougher – including Thursday against North Salinas.
“You know it’s good to get a few wins … and we have been practicing hard and we are trying some new looks and stuff,” Askanas said. “We’ll see but I think they will do fine – as long as they play to their potential they’ll be fine.”
And one of his top players, Breger, has all the confidence needed.
“We are just feeling confident and we know we are going to do really good,” she said.
Hopefully, the wins continue to pile on leading up to the playoffs, Askanas said.
“It’s just, keep moving and getting ready for playoffs and to keep the winning streak going,” Askanas said. “Hopefully get a run in the playoffs and get some big wins in league and beat our rivals.”
The Balers went for the fifth win in a row Thursday against North Salinas. Look online at freelancenews.com for an update.
