San Benito dominates front line, service line in 3-0 victory
HOLLISTER
It’s been four years since the San Benito boys volleyball team has started league play with a perfect 5-0 record, but the ‘Balers returned to that perfect plateau Tuesday when they quickly dispatched visiting Salinas in three games (25-7, 25-10, 25-9).
At 5-0 in the Tri-County Athletic League, San Benito sits atop the standings in first place, the only remaining team with an undefeated, unblemished record.
“It’s awesome,” San Benito head coach Luis Espinoza said simply.
Following 3-0 victories against perennial TCAL powers Gilroy and Monterey last week, the ‘Balers found no equal against the Cowboys on Tuesday and built comfortable leads in all three games before a sweep was eventually met.
Jumping out to an 8-1 lead to open the first set behind kills from Brian Hawks, Erik Rodriguez and Roy Powell, the ‘Balers dominated the front line and Game 1, 25-7.
The second set saw much of the same with San Benito opening a 14-1 lead after three straight kills from Powell and Michael Gonzales.
But unforced errors and miscommunications allowed Salinas to rifle off three straight points, forcing the ‘Balers to call a timeout.
“I wish we could play at the same intensity like when we play against Monterey and Gilroy,” Espinoza said. “Salinas tried. They came out and played.”
Coming out of the timeout, San Benito scored on a kill from Powell, then capitalized on frequent Cowboy errors before cruising to the second set victory behind back-to-back service aces from Danny Ruiz.
The ‘Balers finished with a combined 14 aces, with Ruiz compiling four, Gonzales with four and Erik Rodriguez with a team-high five aces.
The Cowboys stayed afloat early on in the third set, trailing 8-6 at one point, but a steady dose of kills and service aces allowed San Benito to increase their narrow 8-6 lead into a comfortable 18-6 cushion.
Adrian Rodriguez, who led the ‘Balers with 28 assists, completed the sweep in the third set with yet another service ace.
Roy Powell led San Benito with 10 kills, Brian Hawks added eight and Erik Rodriguez had seven. Danny Ruiz compiled 20 digs for San Benito on Tuesday night.
The ‘Balers (14-7 overall) will return to the court Thursday at 6:30 p.m., on the road against Palma.
Notes:
In their five league matches to date, San Benito has won each match 3-0 … ‘Baler Luis Bradley did not play Tuesday after injuring himself in practice on Monday.
TEAM 1 2 3
SALINAS 7 10 9
SAN BENITO 25 25 25
