This was the one Sterling Wilson wanted.
This was the one Sterling Wilson wanted.
“It was very emotional for Sterling,” San Benito coach Luis Espinoza said after the ‘Balers had defeated Palma 25-21, 24-26, 25-16, 25-15 in their Tri-County Athletic League matchup Thursday. “He told me ‘they ran me on the basketball court and I wanted to run them on the volleyball court.’ I think this is the game he enjoyed the most.”
It was a reference to Orlando Johnson and Clark Fox, two standout basketball players for the Chieftains’ Central Coast Section Division III championship team. In this match, Wilson got the better of the two hoop stars.
Wilson had 10 kills and five blocks, but he had plenty of help. Erik Rodriguez had 12 kills and Chris Flippo had an outstanding all-around game with 11 kills, seven digs and five blocks. Brian Hawks had five blocks. David De La Cruz had 11 digs.
“Our middles had a field day,” Espinoza said.
Espinoza mixed things up a bit in the second game when he removed senior setter Luis Rosales. When he re-inserted the player he calls his “difference maker,” San Benito (11-10, 8-4) turned the intensity level up a notch.
“He’s always a key,” Rosales said. “He’s our captain and the guy I look to lead us.”
Palma (5-10, 3-9) was a team that gave the ‘Balers problems last year. Espinoza said the team enjoys playing the Chieftains and that there is a healthy rivalry between them.
“They’re a good team that plays with style and plays well,” Espinoza said. “They always want to make us play well. This is good preparation for our tournament this weekend.”
San Benito will participate in the King of the Mountain at Mt. Madonna, which Espinoza says will prepare his team for the final two matches in TCAL, including the finale at home against Monterey on May 3.
“The seniors want to play them one more time and have a chance to beat them at home,” Espinoza said of the undefeated Toreadores.
