San Benito defeats Trojans in 3 games (25-5, 25-11, 25-15)
Tuesday night at Mattson Gym in Hollister
HOLLISTER
Despite their green attire on St. Patrick’s Day, the visiting Alisal Trojans had very little luck Tuesday night in trying to dispose of the San Benito Haybalers.
Behind 28 assists from Adrian Rodriguez and 10 kills from Erik Rodriguez, the ‘Balers opened Tri-County Athletic League play at Hollister’s Mattson Gym with a quick and easy victory over Alisal in three games (25-5, 25-11, 25-15).
Roy Powell and Brian Hawks each contributed six kills apiece for San Benito, which improves to 1-0 in the TCAL and 6-3 overall with the win.
“The first game we dominated,” San Benito head coach Luis Espinoza said. “It seems to be our M.O., that we dominate the first game. We came out guns blazing and ready to hit.”
Alisal, which is in a rebuilding year, lost Game 1 25-5.
Espinoza said his team was unable to maintain a similar energy in Game 2, however, although that may have been expected after the opening set was so easy, quick and convincing.
The ‘Balers still cruised in Game 2 25-11, nonetheless.
“We had a problem in the second game keeping the same intensity,” Espinoza said. “But it’s kind of hard for us to play at that same intense level.”
Espinoza plugged in his substitutes in the third and final game, which San Benito once again won easily 25-15.
Danny Ruiz, Luis Bradley and Michael Gonzales each had five digs apiece, while Erik Rodriguez had four aces and Jakob Rice added three blocks.
The ‘Balers will return to TCAL action on Thursday when they will visit Seaside at 6:30 p.m.
“They’re scrappy,” Espinoza said of the Spartans. “If we don’t put the ball down, they’re gonna be in the game. They’ll pick up anything that’s within reach.”
Seaside and San Benito will be just two of 16 teams at this weekend’s Hammering and Roofing Seminar tournament in Willow Glen, set to begin Saturday morning at 8 a.m.
Other teams expected to be in attendance include Bellarmine, St. Francis of Mountain View, Saratoga, Valley Christian, Los Gatos, Monterey, Gilroy, Alisal, Aptos, Harbor, Harker, Mitty, Serra and Homestead.
ALISAL 5 11 15
SAN BENITO 25 25 25
