San Benito falls in three games to perennial contender
Hollister – After seeing the San Benito boys volleyball team suffer a three-game loss to visiting Mt. Madonna Thursday night, Haybalers head coach Luis Espinoza had an unusual reaction.
“I have to say, I’m glad we lost because it opens their eyes,” said Espinoza. “We have to play at our level every single game. It just brings them back to reality. If we want to stay on top, we have to play a lot better.”
The ‘Balers’ 25-17, 25-17, 30-28 non-league loss has no bearing on the team’s Tri-County Athletic League record. But Espinoza scheduled Mt. Madonna – a perennial Central Coast Section title contender – just so his players would gain the experience of playing a top-notch team.
After a lackluster victory over Sobrato on Tuesday, San Benito (11-9, 8-1 TCAL) came out flat against Mt. Madonna. Quickly finding themselves in a hole against their talented opponent, the ‘Balers never got a good footing and immediately fell behind in the match.
“The first game, we just played horrible,” said Espinoza. “We weren’t ready to play.”
The San Benito coach was pleased that his players brought their focus to the rest of the match, but the ‘Balers found Mt. Madonna to be too tough a foe.
“We picked it up, but they were just a little faster,” related Espinoza.
San Benito took a 10-point lead in the third game, but saw its opponent roar back to eventually close out the match.
The ‘Balers were led by senior Jon Crepeau, who had 14 kills, five digs and two blocks despite battling an ankle injury. Luis Rosales contributed seven kills and nine service points, while Anthony Parcell recorded a team-high 10 service points to go with his six kills and three blocks. Senior Josh Brown led the ‘Balers with five blocks and also had five kills. Libero Chris Flippo posted a team-high 15 digs.
The defeat ended the ‘Balers’ three-match winning streak and marked the first time since its season opener against San Lorenzo Valley that San Benito lost 3-0.
Mt. Madonna – which won the CCS championship in 2002 and has qualified for the section playoffs the last four years – improved to 18-8.
San Benito returns to the court on Tuesday when it visits Live Oak. As the ‘Balers hope to keep pace with Gilroy (8-1 TCAL) atop the league standings until they face the Mustangs on April 25, Espinoza said Tuesday’s contest takes on added significance.
“That game is very important,” said Espinoza. “If we want to make the Gilroy game important, we have to win that game.”
The ‘Balers–Acorns contest begins at 6:30pm on Tuesday in Morgan Hill.
