Romero, Sharp also on First-Team All-TCAL
Hollister – The final tip of the cap to the outstanding season the San Benito girls volleyball team had came with Chelsea Fowles and Emily Kortsen earning the shared honored of Tri-County Athletic League most valuable player.
Fowles, a Utah State-bound senior setter, and Kortsen, a junior opposite, both proved to be critical pieces to the Haybalers’ puzzle as they won the first Central Coast Section volleyball title in school history and reached the CIF Northern California title game.
“I just thought it was really fitting that they both be rewarded,” coach Dean Askanas said. “They’re just both such outstanding players and knew how to work with each other and each other strengths.”
Kortsen, who claimed the MVP honor for the second straight season, finished the year with 528 kills to move her past the 1,000-kill mark for her career with 1,012.
Fowles had 998 assists this season, leaving her just short of a second straight 1,000 assist season. She ends her San Benito career with 2,878 assists, many of those finding the iron fist of Kortsen.
“Chelsea was always able to find Emily for the big kills,” Askanas said. “They just felt comfortable together. I thought they were the best two players in the league. It’s nice that the league represents that as well.”
Junior outside hitter Bri Romero, whose injury in the fourth game of the NorCal finals loss to Foothill hurt the ‘Balers chances of moving on to the state title game, was honored as a first-team all-league selection.
Romero, who had surgery Monday, led the team with 333 digs and was second to Kortsen with 273 kills.
Junior middle blocker Ali Sharp, who paced San Benito with 71 blocks, also was a first-team selection.
Freshman libero Samantha Klauer and Bethany College-bound senior outside hitter Morgan O’Laughlin were named to the second-team. Junior outside hitter Justine Hunter, who expects to step in at the setter position next year, made the honorable mention team.
One of the most encouraging things about the numerous selections, Askanas said, is that three of the four first-teamers will be returning next season.
“Three of them are coming back, which is wonderful for the future of our program,” Askanas said. “It’s my hope to build a dynasty of CCS titles in Division I.”
The team has already met and set its goal for next season.
“We decided as a team that the goal for next year is to win the state title,” Askanas said. “And the captains really took it to heart. This is how we’re going to keep making progress.”
Askanas believes the tough end to this season could provide the motivation to make that goal possible. He pointed out that a tough loss in the 2005 CCS finals provided the necessary focus that resulted in winning this year’s section title.
“Las year before we were super close to winning CCS and I think it drove them and they felt it and they knew they could do it and they accomplished it this year,” Askanas said. “It’s the same thing in the NorCal final this year. That’s driving us to a new goal and new heights.”
