San Benito kills, digs and spikes way to opening round CIF
victory in San Francisco
By Leann Shea
San Francisco – The Haybalers girl’s volleyball team got a second chance to bring home a Nor Cal title on Tuesday night and they were determined not to let it slip through their fingers. Despite losing a nail biting, marathon five game match against Carlmont in Saturday’s Central Coast Section title game, the ‘Balers earned a berth in the 2005 California Interscholastic Federation State Championships.
San Benito made the most of its chance as it faced off against the Lowell Cardinal in San Francisco. The ‘Balers crushed the Cardinal in three straight games 25-17, 25-10, 25-13, with focus and aggressive play.
“They started to play with confidence,” said ‘Balers coach Dean Askanas. “We decided at yesterday’s practice that we were going to take more chances.”
Lowell was no match for the refocused ‘Balers, who overwhelmed the Cardinal with their height, speed, strength and general athleticism.
“For Nor Cal’s coach wants us to play more aggressive and not worry about mistakes,” said San Benito’s 6-foot sophomore Emily Kortsen. “I’m glad we kept out energy up and I’m glad we were still positive and still playing hard.”
Kortsen lead the ‘Balers with nine kills in the match.
Lowell kept it close in the first game, trading points until the ‘Balers went on a roll and pulled away. San Benito exploited the momentum and kept the Cardinal down in the next two sets.
“It was good coming out here after a loss and playing up to our potential,” said the ‘Balers librero Ari Romero. “We did good. The first game was close, then we found our groove.”
Finding their groove is just what San Benito needed as they attempt to make a run at the state title and defeating the Cardinal is its first step toward achieving that goal.
“It hurt to the core,” Askanas said of the ‘Balers loss to Carlmont in the CCS championship game. “We have a second chance and it’s going to be hard, but we won the league and made it to the CCS final. If we can win the Nor Cal it would be great.”
San Benito doesn’t have to worrying about facing the Carlmont Scots again if they make it to the regional finals because the Scots lost their first round CIF playoff match against Foothill in four games.
The ‘Balers, with a record of 35-5, advance to face the No. 2 seed Liberty in Brentwood on Saturday at 7pm. Liberty defeated Yuba City in three straight games in its first round playoff and has an overall record of 30-9.
