Volleyball team loses star, but has others ready to step in and
lead
The season doesn’t get under way for another few weeks, but that
doesn’t mean the defending Central Coast Section Champion San
Benito High girls’ volleyball team isn’t looking ahead to the
future.
In fact Baler Head Coach Dean Askanas already has his sights set
on repeating as Section champions before advancing to Nor Cals and
winning that.
Volleyball team loses star, but has others ready to step in and lead
The season doesn’t get under way for another few weeks, but that doesn’t mean the defending Central Coast Section Champion San Benito High girls’ volleyball team isn’t looking ahead to the future.
In fact Baler Head Coach Dean Askanas already has his sights set on repeating as Section champions before advancing to Nor Cals and winning that.
“I still feel the same way that I did at the end of last season – that this year’s team could be even better,” he said. “This team could develop offensively and defensively into a better team than last year. I think we’re going to be stronger this year in the middle and deeper on defense too.”
That’s a pretty bold statement considering that last year’s team captured the CCS title for the first time in school history, posted an overall record of 33-8 and went 11-1 in league play.
And this year the Balers will have to go into battle without all-league setter Chelsea Fowles, who graduated in May and will play this year at Utah State where she received a full scholarship.
“Losing Chelsea is definitely our biggest blow to the team – not so much from a technical standpoint but from an emotional one,” Askanas said. “She was a vicious competitor for us. She was a great blocker with great hands, and she could move the ball anywhere.”
Junior Justine Hunter is expected to step into Fowles’ role this year. A varsity player since her freshman year, Hunter had seen the bulk of her time as a backup setter and played some middle as well. This year, she has some big shoes to fill.
“She has great hands and she blocks the ball well,” Askanas said. “Chelsea led the team in assists and service aces last year and was up there in all other categories as well but Justine has her own qualities, too.”
While Hunter is expected to play Fowles’ position, seniors Bri Romero and Ali Sharp are expected to fill Fowles’ role as the team’s emotional leader. At 5-foot-11, Sharp is a big presence on the court and is a returning starting middle blocker.
“Besides being a first-class middle blocker and hitter, she is a captain of the team – a real energetic player,” Askanas said. ”
Romero returns to the lineup as the team’s outside hitter. A year ago in the finals of the Nor Cal tournament, Romero suffered a major knee injury and had to exit the game. At the time, the Balers were serving for the win, which would have advanced them to the state tournament.
After many months in rehabilitation, Romero appears to be back 100 percent.
“It was one of the best recoveries they’ve (doctors) have seen. She is probably the most athletic player on the team,” Askanas said. “She is the best defensive player on the team. She helps bring out our winning attitude.”
While Romero brings those attributes senior Emily Kortsen – the league’s MVP the last two years – brings a bulk of talent to the Baler lineup.
“She may be the most talented player ever to come through the league,” Askanas said. “She can pass, set, hit and serve. She’s almost unstoppable when she’s hitting the ball well.”
A right-side hitter, Kortsen, 6-foot-1, has already given Utah State a verbal commitment to play there next year. Askanas knows that his team will be relying heavily on the play of Kortsen if they are to mimic their successes of a year ago.
“I can’t even put to words how important she is to this team. She is the whole thing,” he said. “In order for us to go as far as we want to, we’re going to have to go through her.”
The Balers will also have the luxury of having Samantha Klauer back in the lineup in the key libero position.
“Our goal this year is to repeat as CCS champions, win Nor Cals and play in the state championship,” Askanas said. “I think our chances of doing that are as good as anyone out there, but I think it’s going to be very hard every step of the way. We have a tough preseason schedule, a tough league and playoffs, but it’s all within our reach.”
