Under first-year coach Dean Askanas , San Benito has kept its winning tradition that the team has established in recent history alive and well.
After finishing a perfect league season, No. 1 San Benito will begin play in the Central Coast Section Division 1 playoffs today against No. 8 Monta Vista (15-15). The game will be at 5pm at North Salinas.
As the No. 1 team, San Benito is the team to beat.
“We know it is up for grabs,” Askanas said. “When you are the top team, everyone gets up to play you. You just have to make sure to play up to your potential and play hard. One loss and its done, so you have to make it happen every time regardless of the seed.”
San Benito (33-4, 12-0 TCAL) has dominated its opponents this year. Only Valley Christian, Leigh St. Mary’s of Berkeley and Harker have recorded wins against the Haybalers this year.
Although not unique in San Benito history, the feat of going undefeated in league sets the team among the elite.
Former San Benito coach Larry Nabzeska, who coached the team to league or shared titles in each of his five years, said he had two teams that finished perfect in league but declined to say which team was better – then or now.
“This is a very good team,” Nabzeska said. “You can’t really compare them. We had several good teams, and we were both undefeated champions. The setup is a little different now. They don’t have to go against either Mitty and St. Francis in Division 1. I think their chances are great. I’m thrilled to death for them and wish them all the best.”
The Matadors, who finished second in the SCVAL Deanza league, don’t have the resume that San Benito has. But even still Askanas said the team can’t let its guard down especially since he doesn’t know much about them.
“I’ve been asking around, but not too many people know anything about them,” Askanas said. “I know they got a good setter, but that is about all.”
San Benito comes into the game healthy after a strong week of practice.
“We’ve been going over everything offensively and definitely this week in practice to make sure we’re clicking on all cylinders,” Askanas said. “We always spend the bulk of our night on defense. Our practices have been really good this week.”
Askanas brought up JV players Carly Lerma, the JV’s setter who is in training as a defensive specialist, and Kelsey Jackson, a middle blocker and outside hitter on JV. Neither player will see much time, Askanas said.
Both players and coaches will try to contain their nerves and remain focused in the first round of the playoffs.
“There’s a few teams in the division who have a really good chance,” Askanas said. “I’m a little nervous, but I hope the girls aren’t as nervous as I am.”
