After losing its first non-tournament game of the year last week
against Notre Dame, the San Benito girls volleyball team resumed
where it left off with a three-game victory over visiting Live Oak
on Wednesday.
Hollister – After losing its first non-tournament game of the year last week against Notre Dame, the San Benito girls volleyball team resumed where it left off with a three-game victory over visiting Live Oak on Wednesday.
The Haybalers defeated Live Oak 25-19, 25-17, 25-20 and remain in a three-way tie for first place in the Tri-County Athletic League with Salinas and Notre Dame.
“It’s like we’re starting the season today,” said coach Jennifer Beall. “This was a big game for us. Live Oak was the biggest blocking team we have seen. I expected them to come out a little stronger. But I think they can beat any of the top three teams.”
San Benito (18-4, 4-1 TCAL) used a balanced hitting attack and solid blocking effort to defeat Live Oak. Jamie Temperino and Kat McCullough each had three of the team’s 12 stuff blocks. Chelsea Fowles had 19 assists.
Leslie Schipper led the Balers with 14 kills and had 10 digs. It was her best offensive game of the year, Beall said.
“We’ve been working on hitting a lot in practice,” Schipper said. “I am opening up more and am swinging through hits now. The light finally came on.”
Live Oak (12-13, 2-3 TCAL) was coming into the game banged up. Coach Laura Coleman said it was the most injury-depleted team she has had in 26 years of coaching.
For the Acorns, Kristen Russ had nine kills, Juliette Bowers had eight and Tiven Catrett, playing her first game after an injury, had seven.
Hollister plays against Gilroy on Oct. 20.
JV note
The San Benito JV team lost to Live Oak Wednesday, 25-22, 19-25, 12-15. The Balers (14-5, 2-3 TCAL) defeated Live Oak last weekend to win the Leland tournament.
In addition to Live Oak, San Benito defeated teams from Willow Glen, Woodside and Westmont.
