SBHS Volleyball and girls’ water polo win on road
The San Benito girls’ volleyball team defeated Harbor on the road Tuesday night to improve to 5-2 on the year. The ‘Balers prevailed in three games, winning 25-17, 25-23, 25-20.
After advancing to the Gold Division at the Milpitas / Independence Spikefest I over the weekend, San Benito proved there would be no letdown as it resumed its preseason schedule. Harbor, which won the Santa Cruz Invitational in late August, gave the ‘Balers a good run while San Benito worked on its serve receive, defense and the positioning of its hitters.
“It was definitely a worthwhile game for us,” San Benito head coach Dean Askanas said, “because they were very tough.”
Junior Emily Kortsen led the ‘Balers with 18 kills, and Chelsea Fowles drew praise for her play at setter. “Chelsea was exceptional,” Askanas said. “She just played a very good game and kept the tempo very fast and made good decisions out there.”
San Benito returns to the court when it hosts Valley Christian on Sep. 12.
Girls’ Water Polo
The San Benito girls’ varsity water polo team took to the road Tuesday and notched its first win of the season, defeating Salinas 9-3 in a Tri-County Athletic League contest.
The ‘Balers (1-0) got their offense going early, taking a 5-1 lead by the end of the first quarter, en route to winning the team’s first game with coach Lacey Sutton at the helm.
“I think it’s starting the season off right with a win, especially because last season we lost to them,” said Sutton, who also coaches the JV team that fell 9-4 to Salinas following the varsity contest. “It’s the way every team wants to start the season.”
Senior driver Kirsten Palm led the ‘Balers with three goals and junior co-captain Jayme Telles contributed two scores.
After hosting league rival Santa Catalina in a scrimmage at 5:15pm today, San Benito travels to a tournament at Fresno’s Clovis West High on Sep. 8-9. The ‘Balers play twice on Friday and then finish with three games on Saturday. “It’ll be a test of endurance,” Sutton said.
