Lady ‘Balers receive five all-league selections; Yamasaki,
Nakata named to second team
HOLLISTER
Their goal of reaching the Central Coast Section championship fell short, but five members of the San Benito girls volleyball team were rewarded for their efforts last week as the Tri-County Athletic League announced its year-end awards.
Senior setter Justine Hunter was named first team All-League in the TCAL, and was San Benito’s lone representative on the 11-member squad. San Benito’s entire offense went through Hunter, and she 605 assists as a result, tops on the team.
Hunter also led the team in blocks (67), aces (36) and service points (302).
Junior outside hitter Sarah Reams of Salinas was voted the MVP of the TCAL, and was joined by first-teamers Annie Powers, Maggie Powers, Shanae Gasperson and Hayley Tamagni of Notre Dame; Tori Bozzo and Jordan Cotton of Salinas; Gina Abbott and Julia Ashen of North Salinas; and Nalli Gomez of Alisal.
Senior outside hitter Shayna Nakata and sophomore libero Sara Yamasaki were named second team All-League from San Benito as well.
Nakata led the Lady ‘Balers in kills (128) and was second on the team in digs (489), only behind Yamasaki’s team-leading total of 493.
There were nine other selections on the second team, including Janelle Waters and Amber Provost of Salinas; Rachel Heavin of Everett Alvarez; Amy Thomas of Notre Dame; Danielle Shipman and Ellen Yamasaki of North Salinas; Melissa Avila and Avrielle Walker of Gilroy; and Angela Velasco of Alisal.
Junior outside hitter Sam Klauer, who was second on San Benito in service points (245) and third on the team in digs (437), was named honorable mention in the TCAL.
Senior Chelsea Freitas was named to the “Pursuing Victory with Honor” team. Freitas was fifth on San Benito in both kills (79) and blocks (22).
San Benito, which completed its season with a 14-22 overall record, lost in the CCS Division I semifinals to top-seeded Salinas in four games. It was the fifth year in a row the Lady ‘Balers had qualified for the CCS playoffs.
