‘Balers alone atop TCAL; team pounds previously undefeated
Cowboys
Salinas – It wasn’t supposed to be this easy. The San Benito girls’ volleyball team figured to be pushed to the limits entering the lion’s den Tuesday, traveling to Salinas to face a formidable foe with first place in the Tri-County Athletic League on the line.
But the ‘Balers responded with an inspired performance, leaving no doubt that they are the class of the league by sweeping the Cowboys 26-24, 25-18, 26-24. Like San Benito, Salinas came into the match without having so much as lost a game in its undefeated start in league play, but the visiting ‘Balers effectively silenced the Cowboys and their raucous fans.
“Really excited,” said San Benito setter Chelsea Fowles, describing the team’s mood afterwards. “I don’t think we’ve ever beaten Salinas in three (games).”
Added ‘Balers head coach Dean Askanas: “There’s no way I thought we’d win in three.”
“Plus, they were the only other undefeated team,” junior Emily Kortsen said, “so it was especially nice. It wasn’t easy though. They gave us a good match.”
The ‘Balers (19-4, 5-0 TCAL) were tested early, with Salinas overcoming first-game deficits of 22-18 and 23-21 to catch the visitors at 24-all. During a San Benito timeout, the Cowboys (10-5, 3-1 TCAL) had their gym rocking with fans screaming “Cowboy power!” and stomping on the wooden bleachers. But once play resumed, the ‘Balers quickly stepped up to win the next two points to secure the critical first game.
While Kortsen dominated the first game, registering nine kills and winning four straight service points in the early going, Fowles took over in the second. The senior, whose superb setting has been the foundation of the loaded ‘Baler offense all year, tacked on six kills, a block and an ace as San Benito jumped to a 17-12 lead en route to winning the surprisingly one-sided game.
The ‘Balers knew Salinas, which took them to five games before succumbing 20-18 in the teams’ final meeting last season, wouldn’t go down without a bitter fight. And sure enough, the Cowboys leaped to a 15-10 lead in the third game, and then pushed their advantage to 20-13.
But the determined ‘Balers regrouped to polish off the pesky hosts. After a Salinas service error, Korsten stepped in to serve, and San Benito doggedly clawed its way back to a 20-20 tie, a run that forced Cowboys head coach Josh Gentle to use two timeouts.
Korsten notched back-to-back assists, finding Fowles for first a perfectly-placed kill down the center and then for a deft, left-handed shot that gave the ‘Balers a 23-21 lead.
Facing its first match point, Salinas fended off a block by Morgan O’Laughlin to win a spirited rally and stay alive at 24-24.
One point later, O’Laughlin appeared to cement her team’s victory with another block, and the ‘Balers even started celebrating, but an outstanding Cowboy dig sailed over the net and completely surprised San Benito. But Fowles emerged from the jubilant pack to send the ball back to Salinas, and the ‘Balers eventually won the point and the match on a Cowboy double hit.
“It got intense because it was so loud in here,” said Kortsen, still glowing after the come-from-behind finale. “Especially the third game, it was crazy.”
Junior middle blocker Ali Sharp’s return from injury helped San Benito run an effective, fast-paced offense, and outside hitters Bri Romero and O’Laughlin helped the ‘Balers control the ball and the match with their passing and serve-receive skills.
Gentle, the Salinas coach, said some fundamental lapses made it a long night for the Cowboys. “Two things we didn’t execute all the time was serve and serve-receive,” he said. “They let us down tonight, and that was the killer.”
Korsten posted a match-high 17 kills, and Fowles added 13.
Salinas outside hitter Fabiola Castro led the Cowboys with eight kills, and her athleticism and 11 digs kept her team in many points. Kayla Woods added seven kills for the hosts, and Sarah Taylor posted five kills and three blocks.
Afterwards, Askanas said the third-game comeback said volumes about his team’s character.
“First of all, closing out a match is difficult … and doing it against a tough team with their crowd is inspiring,” he said. “To erase that deficit was incredible.”
The victory moved San Benito into sole possession of first place in the TCAL standings. After running the table with a perfect 12-0 league record in 2005, the ‘Balers look to be well on their way to another championship after wrapping up their fifth sweep in five TCAL matches.
Nevertheless, Askanas was quick to say his team can’t look beyond its visit to Notre Dame on Thursday, and said that he didn’t view beating Salinas as a statement win. “I don’t think it’s an announcement to anyone but ourselves,” the coach said. “We just want to believe we can face any adversity and come out on top.”
And on the Cowboys’ home court, the ‘Balers did just that.
JV NOTE: San Benito lost the earlier JV girls’ volleyball match, falling 25-15, 25-22 to the host Cowboys. The defeat was the ‘Balers’ first of the Tri-County Athetic League season.
“We were really slow at the beginning,” said San Benito head coach Marlene Villegas, noting the ‘Balers’ problems with communication and unforced errors. “The second game was a lot better. I think we can definitely beat them the second time around at home.”
San Benito (8-6, 4-1 TCAL) visits Notre Dame on Thursday.
