The San Benito girls volleyball team defeated North Salinas
25-13, 25-17, 25-6 and remains perfect in non-tournament play.
Salinas – The San Benito girls volleyball team defeated North Salinas 25-13, 25-17, 25-6 and remains perfect in non-tournament play.
But despite starting out the season with an overall record of 17-3, coach Jennifer Beall knows that next week’s schedule could make or break the team’s chances at a Tri-County Athletic League title.
On Tuesday, San Benito plays Salinas, who defeated the Haybalers for the Westmont tournament championship. And then on Thursday, San Benito travels to Notre Dame.
Even though San Benito defeated North Salinas, Beall said her team didn’t play well enough to defeat either TCAL powerhouse.
“I think we can compete with them,” Beall said. “They lacked the focus to start. Maybe it was because of the slow pace of the game. I keep telling them they have to pick it up to be mentally prepared for next week.”
Missing four or five serves in the first couple games was not acceptable, Beall said.
The team rebounded in the third game with better passing and blocking.
The Balers’ kill numbers weren’t as high as normal with the passing being off, Beall said. Alyssa Fowles led the way with eight. Leslie Schipper had four, and JT Temperino and Kat McCullough had three kills each.
Chelsea Fowles had 12 aces, including several in the third game. She also had 19 assists.
“We’re real focused on what we have to do next week,” Beall said. “I know they are capable. They just have to rise to occasion and have confidence. They are starting to get some respect. But the biggest killer can always be your selves.”
The volleyball team will be holding a skills clinic on Saturday at the high school for boys and girls in sixth through eighth grades. Registration begins at 8:30am and walk-ins are accepted.
Girls tennis
Salinas – The San Benito girls tennis team (6-3, 1-1 TCAL) lost 4-3 to North Salinas without two of its starting singles players.
Jaime Houston was showing livestock at the fair, and Vanessa Martinez is still out with an injury.
No. 1 singles player Danielle Burke, who hasn’t lost a set in regular competition yet, won 6-0, 6-0.
Mary Von Urff won 6-2, 6-1, Jessica Trudell won 6-4, 6-0 and Fritzie Lacdao lost 4-6, 3-6.
In doubles, No. 1, Megan Kirk and Alyssa Penacho lost 1-6, 4-6. Tracy Hopkins and Kaitlyn O’keefe lost 6-4, 4-6 (4-10). And Rebecca Williams and Michelle Rovella lost 2-6, 2-6.
