San Benito wins its first CCS championship
San Jose – The third time proved to be the charm for the San Benito girls’ volleyball team.
After losing in each of the past two Central Coast Section championship games, the ‘Balers finally got over the hump and beat Homestead on Saturday to win the Division I championship and claim the first section title in school history.
“I can’t even describe my feelings,” senior setter Chelsea Fowles said while holding the championship trophy. “Just knowing that we’re part of history and that it’s the first time this has ever happened, it feels so good. … Finally, the third time’s the charm.”
After wrapping up the four-game victory, coach Dean Askanas and the team celebrated in a big huddle on the court and again after receiving their trophy.
“It’s the happiest moment of my life,” Askanas said. “I’ve always wanted to win a D-I title. I’m so glad for these girls who’ve worked so hard this season.
“To set a goal so early, it’s just a huge climax at the end,” Askanas added, whose in his second year with the ‘Balers. “It’s something we’ve been thinking and focusing on since I first got here last year.”
As tough as the losses in the previous two title games have been – San Benito lost in five games to Carlmont last year and Salinas two years ago – those experiences made this win feel even better.
“It’s just amazing,” senior Morgan O’Laughlin. “For me and Chelsea and Emily (Kortsen), we’ve got to the final match three years in a row. To work hard and take it, it means so much. … It makes it even more sweeter.”
The top-seeded ‘Balers (31-7) started the match strong. Junior Bri Romero had three early kills and Fowles had five assists and three kills as San Benito built a 19-13 lead.
No. 3 Homestead (24-13) closed the gap to 19-16 before the ‘Balers scored consecutive points on a kill and an ace by Romero.
Korsten, who finished with a game-high 23 kills, put the first game away by spiking home three of the final four points in a 25-19 win.
The ‘Balers got off to a strong start again in the second game. Fowles, who had a game-high 39 assists, served five straight points to start, including three aces.
But the Mustangs battled throughout, closing the gap to 10-9 and eventually tying it at 20-all.
After the teams exchanged points, a timely kill by Fowles made it 22-21 and on game-point Fowles set up one of Romero’s nine kills to earn a 25-22 win.
San Benito came out a bit flat in third game and Homestead took advantage. Four kills and two aces by sophomore outside hitter Katherine Fischer helped the Mustangs to an 11-4 lead.
The ‘Balers later tied the game at both 19-all and 20-all, but Homestead closed strong to earn a 25-22 win.
“I was worried, because I felt we started to play too tentative,” Askanas said. “I called some time outs and we said the only way we can win this is with kills and big swings and so we started to do that.”
The Mustangs showed early in the fourth game that they weren’t going down without a fight and held a 8-6 lead.
San Benito rallied to a 9-8 lead but the scoring bounced back and forth until it was tied at 14-all.
A service error by Homestead gave the ‘Balers the lead at 15-14 and they never gave it back.
An 8-1 run pushed the lead to 22-15 and San Benito’s dynamic duo of Korsten and Fowles sealed the championship when they hooked up for a kill to wrap up a 25-19 win and a CCS title.
