Most of the players from last year’s San Benito boys volleyball
team are back for another run at a Tri-County Athletic League
title.
Most of the players from last year’s San Benito boys volleyball team are back for another run at a Tri-County Athletic League title.
Although the Haybalers don’t have any club volleyball players like several other teams in the league, third-year coach Henke Mao hopes the varsity players experience from last year and the team’s work ethic will carry it a long ways.
“It is an experienced team,” Mao said. “But I am not sure if we can compete with some of the more experienced teams like Monterey, Seaside and Gilroy, who have a lot of club players. We just got to keep our heads up and keep grinding. We have to learn from our mistakes.”
San Benito finished with a 12-14 overall record and a 6-8 record in league last year.
“We’re really raw right now,” Mao said. “Everyone has to be more consistent on passing. We also have to have consistent serving.”
The Balers don’t have some of the height that other teams have, but the team has some quick athletes who can make plays. The tallest player on the team is 6-foot-3 senior Thomas Rebecchi.
“Thomas can come up with some big blocks,” Mao said. “We’re going to have to rely on our blocks to put the other team away.”
Mason Dungey, who is also a pole vaulter, and Jonathan Crepeau add some height to the team with their 6-foot-1 frames.
Crepeau, a sophomore outside hitter, was recently brought up from the JV team to practice with the varsity basketball team that is playing in the Central Coast Section semifinals on Wednesday. He joined the varsity volleyball team last year in the final match of the season after playing the whole year at the JV level.
Other outside hitters include Peter Prak, Adam Salas and Jacob Buzzetta. Kyle Fowles, a junior defensive specialist, is another player Mao said may play on the outside because of his leaping ability. Alex Gonzales is the other defensive specialist on the team.
“Kyle and Alex are very good players who run after the ball and hustle a lot,” Mao said. “They are not afraid to get down on the floor.”
Junior Jeff Hawks will be handling the setter duties once he finishes playing basketball. For the first game of the season against Watsonville tonight, Nathan Thome, a junior, will be setting. Thome will move to opposite hitter when Hawks gets back, Mao said.
Nathan Davies will be the other opposite hitter. Prak and Adam Sales should get the nod on the outside. Fowles will be the starting defensive specialist, and Rebecchi will be the middle blocker.
“If we improve on our offense and passing, we should be able to finish in the upper half of the league,” Mao said. “We don’t have a bad offense, we have just been a little inconsistent the past couple years in putting the ball away.”
