The San Benito Haybalers used a steady dose of Ali Sharp, Emily
Kortsen and Megan Halstead en route to a three-game sweep of Mt.
Pleasant in the quarterfinals of the Central Coast Section
Volleyball Championships.
San Jose
The San Benito Haybalers used a steady dose of Ali Sharp, Emily Kortsen and Megan Halstead en route to a three-game sweep of Mt. Pleasant in the quarterfinals of the Central Coast Section Volleyball Championships.
Playing in their first game of the Division I playoffs after receiving a first-round bye, the defending CCS champs won 25-10, 25-16, 25-15 at Leland High School on Saturday.
No. 2 San Benito will now play in the semifinals against No. 3 Carlmont, who defeated No. 6 North Salinas in three games (25-12, 25-15, 25-12) Saturday.
Preparing for a strong showing from Mt. Pleasant’s Puneet Pataria, the 6-foot-2 middle blocker that coach Dean Askanas was anticipating for all week, the Lady ‘Balers held Pataria to just 12 kills and eight digs on the night.
They essentially contained Pataria through much of the first game as well, while San Benito countered with Kortsen (16 kills), Sharp (eight kills) and Halstead (four digs).
“But our middles had big games,” Askanas said of Sharp and Halstead. The coach added that it was likely Halstead’s best game, while Sharp was equally impressive.
As for Pataria, the senior for Mt. Pleasant was simply not getting much help from teammates, Askanas said.
“If she was on a stronger team, she’d be devastating,” Askanas said. “She has to carry the weight of the team and that is very difficult.”
The Lady ‘Balers jumped all over Mt. Pleasant in the first game, running out to a 6-0 lead behind strong serving from Justine Hunter. The Cardinals were never able to come back, and San Benito closed it out on a Hunter tip.
Mt. Pleasant was able to keep pace, however, in the second game that saw 10 ties and seven lead changes. With both squads tied at 13-13, though, the Lady ‘Balers would outscore the Cardinals 12-3 to close out the second game behind a pair of kills from Kelsey Jackson.
The visiting Cardinals proved to be no match in the third game as well, as San Benito grabbed an early 3-2 lead and never relinquished.
“We played all right,” Askanas said. “I was very happy with the way our middles played.”
Hunter had 23 assists Saturday and defensively, Bri Romero and Samantha Klauer led the Lady ‘Balers with 14 and 13 digs, respectively.
Mt. Pleasant’s Stephanie Gutierrez led the Cardinals with 20 digs.
On Wednesday at Santa Clara High School, San Benito will battle Carlmont at 7:30 p.m. The Lady ‘Balers have played the Scots twice already this season, winning 2-0 at the Milpitas Spikefest but falling 3-1 on Sept. 11 in Hollister.
“It’s all tough matches now. There are no easy matches,” Askanas said. “I hope we step up. We know Carlmont is tough. It’s up to the girls to make that commitment.”
