Move over, ‘Broadway’ Joe Namath. Make room for ‘San Benito’ Kim
Dabo.
Move over ‘Broadway’ Joe Namath. Make room for ‘San Benito’ Kim Dabo.
Not unlike Namath’s prediction that his American Football League New York Jets would shock the football world and upset the National Football League Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III in 1969, Dabo boldly predicts her Hollister Haybalers will shock the Central Coast Section volleyball world this Thursday when the Balers (30-4) tackle defending Division I state champion Archbishop Mitty (30-4) in a CCS D-I semi at Santa Clara at 6 p.m.
“We’ll beat them in four games,” said Dabo. “We’re going to win state. That’s when our last game of the year will be.”
There you have it. Not only did Dabo forecast a win over Mitty, the No. 3 team in the state, but she called for a successful run through the NorCal finals, which would entail knocking off the No. 1 team in the country, St. Francis (24-1) twice. The Lancers meet Piedmont Hills (22-7) in the other semifinal at 8 p.m. and should have little trouble with the Pirates. The CCS D-I title game is set for Saturday at West Valley College in Saratoga at 7 p.m. The two D-I finalists automatically advance to the eight-team NorCal tournament.
Dabo’s not the only Baler who believes in destiny.
“We can beat Mitty if we play our game,” said setter Jenny Denton. “We have to play smart. If they make a run, we have to keep our heads.”
The Balers kept their heads long enough to oust MItty from the Presentation Tournament a month ago when they defeated the Monarchs in two games.
Mitty head coach Bret Almazan-Cezar, who could only walk off the court without saying a word to Baler head coach Larry Nabzeska, hasn’t forgotten.
“Hollister came out fired up,” said Almazan-Cezar. “Like every team who plays Mitty or St. Francis. They played wonderful and with a lot of emotion. That’s something our players are going to have to be aware of, that Hollister is going to play with a lof of emotion.”
Almazan-Cezar said the main player that hurt him that day was the Balers opposite hitter Sarah Groman, who can be a force at the net at 6-foot-1.
“I was on that day,” said Groman. “Hopefully, we’ll all be on when we play Mitty Thursday. We all have to be hitting the ball. We all have to be on.”
Almazan-Cezar’s Monarchs can claim something no one in the country can. They beat St. Francis. It was in the finals of the Mitty Tournament on Oct. 5. The Monarchs led the Lancers 2-0 before losing two straight games, then winning in a rally scoring fifth game. in the championship match of the West Catholic Athletic League tournament, the Monarchs were up 2-0, then the Lancers took the next three games fairly easily.
“We just ran out of gas,” said Almazan-Cezar. “St. Francis is beatable because we beat them before.”
Almazan-Cezar likes his Monarchs team, especially its size.
“We’re the biggest team in the CCS,” said Almazan-Cezar. “But we’re young.”
The Monarchs have plenty of weapons. Christina Kirk is an outstanding middle blocker at 6-1. Erin Downey, a 6-1 sophomore, starts at outside hitter, along with 5-9 Murphy McClenahan. Emily Allen (5-10) is an active opposite, while 5-8 Michaela Donahue can play either right side or outside hitter. Talented sophomre K.C. Walsh, of the volleyball playing Walsh family, is a 5-11 setter. Off the bench comes 6-2 Bethany Johansen and 5-11 Nicole Justice.
The Balers counter with Dabo and Jacky Denton, two athletic, but not necessarily tall, outside hitters. Kaylie Kortsen, at 6-2, could be the ultimate key to victory for the Balers at middle blocker. Besides Groman and Jenny Denton, Nashia Alvarez and Alyssa Fowles are pivotal in the back row. Melissa Moore was held out of practice due to illness on Tuesday, but will play Thursday, according to Nabzeska.
Nabzeska states there are three keys to winning on Thursday.
“One, need to block well,” said Nabzeska. “Two, we have to hit to the spot where we know where their weaknesses are. Three, we have to serve well.”
Serving will be another major factor. Kortsen, Jacky and Jenny Denton have developed excellent jump serves. Dabo has more of a run-to-the-right and overhand it kind of serve. Alvarez’ serves are low balls, which just clear the net and are tough to return. Fowles is steady and rarely commits a service ace.
“Serve and pass is what wins at any level,” said Almazan-Cezar. “From sixth grade to international.”
Live Oak coach Laura Coleman believes the Balers can beat Mitty, but “they have to mix it up” and run a “quick offense”.
“That’s what we’ve been working on (today),” said Nabzeska. “We’re working on our different options and getting into our offense quickly.”
Whatever team wins on Thursday, it will be ready for the Lancers.
“The winner will be battle-tested,” said Almazan-Cezar. “The place will be rocking. I expect Hollister to be louder than our fans. We don’t have school on Friday. Our fans probably will be out of town. It will be exciting.”
Should the Balers lose Thursday, it will be the last year of coaching for Nabzeska, who will be retiring at the end of the year.
“I don’t want to think about it,” Nabzeska said. “I do think about it, but I don’t want to think about it. I want my last game to be in Southern California.”
That match would be on Dec. 7 at Cypress College when all five divisions meet in the CIF State Volleyball Championships.
Note: There are many ways to get to Santa Clara High School. Off 280, take Lawrence Expy North to Benton Avenue. Go right one mile and school is on right. From 101, take Lawrence Expy South about four miles past El Camino to Benton and go left. Or take 280 to Saratogo Av to San Tomas Expy, go North on Benton until school.
