They’ve been waiting for this one for a while. Ever since the schedules came out, really.
When the ‘Balers take the court in Belmont tonight, emotions will be running high. This early-season girls’ volleyball showdown with Carlmont is a rematch of the 2005 CCS Division I championship match.
And, in the case of the ‘Balers, a chance for payback.
Rewind to that fateful Saturday night last November and you’ll recall the heartbreaking end to San Benito’s championship dreams. After winning 33 matches in the regular season and two more to get to the section title contest, the ‘Balers played the Scots as even as possible throughout the night at West Valley College.
But in the end, they came up just a hair short.
In the edge-of-your-seat thriller, the ‘Balers lost 25-23, 23-25, 25-23, 20-25, 20-18. And game 5s are played to 15 points.
Even though the ‘Balers still advanced to the CIF State playoffs and went on to win another match, they still had that empty feeling. They had worked so hard all season for one goal. And they hadn’t achieved it.
So you’d better believe they’re fired up to take on Carlmont on the Scots’ home court tonight.
“We just want to get revenge,” senior Morgan O’Laughlin said after the ‘Balers’ three-game win Tuesday over Valley Christian.
Said kill-leader Emily Kortsen: “I’m totally pumped to play Carlmont.”
It’s not often that a non-league contest gets circled as the highlight of a team’s schedule. But after the ‘Balers went a perfect 12-0 to win the 2005 TCAL championship, and returned all but two of last year’s starters, it’s not as if they have something to prove when league play begins next week.
But tonight is a different story.
A win at Carlmont and the ‘Balers become the prohibitive favorite in Division I. If they’re not already. Other than tournament play, they might not lose another match the rest of the way.
But a loss would awaken the ghosts of last season. The ‘Balers might still win out in the regular season, but the Scots would own a significant mental trump card come playoff time.
Yes, it is only a ‘preseason’ match. But don’t tell that to the ‘Balers.
“(It’s about) showing them we’re better this year and just letting them recognize it,” O’Laughlin said.
“It’s payback.”
