Gilroy – It was the same story and the same result, or as Yogi Berra might say, “dejà vu all over again.”
While San Benito was able to sweep Gilroy in Tri-County Athletic League girls’ volleyball action at Bob Hagen Gymnasium, the Mustangs proved to be a formidable foe in the third game.
Still, the Haybalers continued to roll along unbeaten in TCAL after their 25-15, 25-10, 25-19 win.
“We could have done better, but we work really well together,” said San Benito senior Chelsea Fowles. “Even when things don’t go your way, you keep your energy up and that really helps you.”
And Fowles, a senior who will play volleyball at Utah State University next year, was the engine who made San Benito (21-4 overall, 7-0 TCAL) run even when the gritty Mustangs made runs of their own.
With the teams tied at 18 in the third game, the 10th tie of the game, ‘Balers’ coach Dean Askanas called a timeout to steady his girls. In the Gilroy huddle, savvy Mustang junior Caitlin Chisolm warned her team that Fowles would likely “dump” a ball into the middle.
It didn’t happen on the first point, but it did occur on the second. And Fowles served two aces to finish a 7-1 San Benito run and clinch the win.
“She’s the whole tempo of our team,” Askanas said, “plus she’s playing terrific defense. She’s really our MVP out there. She and Emily (Kortsen) are running the show.”
Fowles had eight kills and five aces, and Kortsen had nine kills as the ‘Balers overwhelmed Gilroy (13-13, 3-4) with their net play.
“Their height,” GHS coach Sue Grogan answered when asked what gives Gilroy the most trouble. “They’re really good athletes and there’s a huge talent pool over there.”
As for Fowles, Grogan said, “She has court presence. She knows what she’s doing no matter when the ball comes to her, whether it’s on the first, second or third hit.”
Fowles always seemed to have a sense as to when to kill, dump a ball in the middle or push the ball into the deep corner.
“Sometimes you look and glance at certain positions,” Fowles said. “But generally, the same positions are open. It’s a matter of spreading the ball so they don’t know what you’re doing.”
Morgan O’Laughlin and Ali Sharp added to San Benito’s strong play. But Vanessa Wilkins, who got a rare opportunity to “show off” for older brother Dominik, played like a woman possessed during stretches of the match.
Wilkins had eight kills, 10 digs and three blocks for the Mustangs. Jennifer Smith had 10 assists.
With Wilkins getting four kills in the early going, the Mustangs trailed just 12-10 in the opening game. But Kortsen’s second kill of the game ignited an 8-1 run that helped the ‘Balers pull away.
GHS scored the first two points of the second game. Fowles had three aces and a kill in a nine-point run, and San Benito maintained at least a five-point advantage before finishing with a 15-5 run.
Still, the ‘Balers couldn’t breathe easy until their finishing flurry. While Gilroy is not at the level of powerful San Benito, the Mustangs appear to be closing the deficit.
“I thought they played really well,” Askanas said of GHS. “They’re an improved team. You have to give them a lot of credit.”
