After a slow start, the San Benito High girls volleyball team
found itself in time to roll to a three-game victory over visiting
Valley Christian on Wednesday night.
Hollister – After a slow start, the San Benito High girls volleyball team found itself in time to roll to a three-game victory over visiting Valley Christian on Wednesday night.
Trailing 20-14 in the opening game, the Lady Balers rallied behind the serving of sophomore setter Chelsea Fowles, who had a team-high service aces in the match. San Benito rebounded to take the first game 25-23, then completed the sweep by scores of 25-14 and 25-20 over the Lady Warriors.
San Benito coach Jennifer Beall said her team has demonstrated a disturbing tendency to start off slow so far this season, but she said she was pleased with its determination.
“We came out really, really slow – my team tends to do that – but then we pretty much took control,” Beall said. “I was really proud of the way they picked it up.”
Senior outside hitter Alyssa Fowles led the Balers with 13 kills and five digs, while fellow senior OH Leslie Schipper added eight kills and seven digs. Chelsea Fowles added 30 assists for San Benito.
San Benito improved to 9-2 overall with the victory.
The Balers were coming off a successful performance at the High Sierra Tournament in Reno last weekend, where the Lady Balers took fifth out of 36 teams, losing to the eventual tourney champion Nevada Union Miners.
San Benito started off tourney play by winning its pool, beating Rio Americano 2-0, Whittel 2-1 and Elko 2-0. By virtue of their pool victory, the Balers secured a spot in the top half of the tournament and were placed in a three-team pool in the Ace division.
San Benito lost its first match to Del Norte, then beat Notre Dame-Belmont 2-0 in a must-win match.
The Balers then swept Pleasant Valley 2-0 by playing their best volleyball of the tourney before dropping a 2-0 match to eventual champ Nevada Union. The Miners featured an outside hitter who will be attending Long Beach State on a full ride next year and won the tourney MVP award.
San Benito’s Alyssa Fowles was named to the All-Tournament Team after compiling 34 kills, 45 digs, eight service aces and five blocks in seven matches.
Other top Baler players included: Chelsea Fowles, 120 assists, 17 digs, six aces; Leslie Schipper, 43 kills, 26 digs, four aces, three blocks; Jamie Temperino, 18 kills, 16 blocks; Emily Kortsen, 11 kills, seven blocks; Michele Sanchez, 40 digs; and, Kat McCullough, 23 kills, 21 digs.
San Benito plays at Piedmont HIlls tonight, and competes at the Westmont-Saratoga tourney on Saturday.
Staff Reports
