San Benito improves to 12-0 after defeating Salinas Thursday
night in three games, 25-13, 25-22, 25-16
SALINAS
Although the celebrations came after the three-game sweep of Gilroy Tuesday, which was the last significant opponent standing in San Benito’s way, the ‘Baler boys volleyball team officially clinched the Tri-County Athletic League title Thursday night with yet another three-game sweep (25-13, 25-22, 25-16), this time at Salinas.
The win supplies San Benito with a perfect 12-0 mark, two matches ahead of Gilroy (10-2) with two matches to go. But even if the ‘Balers fall in its remaining two matches and Gilroy wins out, San Benito would have the tiebreaker after it swept the Mustangs in two league contests earlier this season.
No matter what happens the rest of the regular season, the ‘Balers are TCAL champs, and for the first time since 2001, no less.
But even though the title is in hand, San Benito head coach Luis Espinoza says the target remains.
“I looked at the teams we have left,” Espinoza said. “We still have that target on our chest.
“That’s how I look at it and that’s how I have the team look at it. They’re gonna come at us with their best and they’re still gonna try and beat you.”
Following a comfortable 25-13 victory in the opening set, Espinoza moved some of his players to different positions, and the Cowboys built leads of 17-10 and 18-11 as a result.
“I switched my rotation,” Espinoza said.
“Just to give my boys a challenge, trying to prepare for CCS.”
Espinoza wanted to remind his team what it felt like to trail late in a set, and to find out what their response would be.
“Not to take anything away from Salinas, they played hard,” Espinoza said.
“But you’re down so many points. Are you gonna crumble or are you gonna play together as a team. They bent, but they didn’t break.”
Trailing by seven points, Espinoza put everyone back to their normal positions and the ‘Balers fought back to take the second set, 25-22.
San Benito then rolled in the third set, 25-16.
Setter Adrian Rodriguez had 40 assists in the win, while teammate Erik Rodriguez put down a team-high 12 kills. Adrian also led with 15 digs, and Alex Alvarez chimed in with 14.
San Benito (21-7) will play its final two regular season games next week. On Tuesday, Palma will visit Hollister for Homecoming, while Watsonville will come Thursday for San Benito’s Senior Night.
Each match is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
SANB 25 25 25
SALI 13 22 16
