Hollister
– After winning the first two games, the San Benito boys
volleyball team ran into a challenge Tuesday when Palma rallied for
a Game 3 win.
Hollister – After winning the first two games, the San Benito boys volleyball team ran into a challenge Tuesday when Palma rallied for a Game 3 win.
The Haybalers response: their strongest game of the night as they earned a 25-18 win to secure the three games to one victory.
“That last game was a lot better,” San Benito coach Luis Espinoza said. “It was nice to see that they came back and played as a team.”
Sterling Wilson had his best night of the season, recording 14 kills and seven blocks to lead the ‘Balers. Chris Flippo added 12 kills and 11 digs, Luis Rosales had 25 assists, Mack Hawkes recorded nine blocks and David De La Cruz delivered 12 digs.
“Sterling did a lot better tonight,” Espinoza said. “David did a great job at libero and Luis was great all-around. That’s why (Rosales) is the captain, he leads the team.”
San Benito (4-5, 3-2 Tri-County Athletic League) finished the first game strong, scoring eight of the final 10 points in a 25-17 win.
Midway through the second game, the Chieftains (2-5, 1-4) held a 16-14 lead. But a 5-0 run, highlighted by two aces from Chase Maka, regained the lead for the ‘Balers and they won 25-21.
The third game was knotted at 20-20 late in the action before an emphatic kill by Orlando Johnson – the Chieftains’ star basketball player headed to Loyola Marymount on a scholarship – gave Palma the lead and it went on to a 25-23 win.
San Benito responded well in the final game, using a 8-1 run to take a 13-6 lead and coasting to the victory.
“We’ve got to keep this going,” Espinoza said. “We’re still in the hunt for first place. We’ve got to keep the intensity up.”
San Benito travels to face Salinas at 6:30pm Thursday.
