The Gilroy Mustangs proved to be no match for the red hot San
Benito Lady ‘Balers Thursday night at Mattson Gym, and the
Hollister volleyball team dispatched their league rivals in 50
minutes.
Hollister – The Gilroy Mustangs proved to be no match for the red hot San Benito Lady ‘Balers Thursday night at Mattson Gym, and the Hollister volleyball team dispatched their league rivals in 50 minutes.
San Benito’s quick work was evident in the three-game sweep of the Mustangs, as the Lady ‘Balers won each game comfortably 25-9, 25-5, 25-16.
“We played a little flat,” Gilroy coach Sue Grogan said. “It’s always intimidating coming to Hollister, especially with the history they have and the players they have, so part of it is mental.
“They learned a lot about volleyball today.”
San Benito coach Dean Askanas talked to his squad about improvement, and said the team has been playing better since the first time they played Gilroy.
In that match on Sept. 18, San Benito defeated Gilroy in three games, but the Mustangs nearly stole the third game.
On Thursday night in Hollister, San Benito kept Gilroy at bay.
“I thought we looked good,” Askanas said. “We have a lot of good energy and enthusiasm, and that’s what they need. They’re bringing the right emotions, and that’s what it’s all about.”
After two ties at 1-1 and 2-2 early in the first game, San Benito took the lead on an Ali Sharp kill, and didn’t look back. The Lady ‘Balers held leads of 10-5 and 20-7, and scored as many as eight points in a row in the opening game.
San Benito jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead to start game two, but Gilroy interrupted the streak when Melissa Avila served an ace.
San Benito’s Bri Romero had seven kills on the night, however, and they all came in the second game. Holding a 15-5 lead, the Lady ‘Balers closed out the second game on a 10-0 run, highlighted by four service aces in a row from Courtney Scarlett.
In the third game, Gilroy held strong. After San Benito jumped out to a 6-2 lead, Gilroy managed to cut the deficit to 8-5 on consecutive kills from Caitlin Chisolm.
Late in the game, with San Benito ahead 19-8, the Mustangs received kills from Chisolm and Lindsey Foster, but it wasn’t enough as the Lady ‘Balers closed out the third game on a kill from Scarlett.
San Benito’s Emily Kortsen had 12 kills and Gilroy’s Chisolm had 11 digs and six kills.
San Benito (7-0 TCAL, 18-7 overall) will host North Salinas on Tuesday, while Gilroy (2-5, 10-12) will return home against Alvarez Tuesday.
