San Benito beats Everett Alvarez in three games 25-18, 25-13,
25-7; Salinas looms
SALINAS
The San Benito girls volleyball team took care of host Everett Alvarez Tuesday in three games (25-18, 25-13, 25-7) to remain undefeated in the Tri-County Athletic League at 3-0.
The win sets up a date with Salinas on Thursday at Mattson Gym in Hollister. The Cowboys, along with Notre Dame, expect to be a key threat towards San Benito’s title defense this year.
Coach Dean Askanas expects Salinas’ outside hitter Sarah Reams to test the new defensive approach the Lady ‘Balers have recently applied.
“She’s a really refined, top-notch outside hitter,” Askanas said. “They always have a lot of offense. They’re always very tough and they always have a lot of hitting.”
A match removed from their 91-dig output against North Salinas last Thursday, San Benito digged their fair share of balls once again on Tuesday at Everett Alvarez.
Libero Sara Yamasaki led all with 17 digs, while Shayna Nakata had 13 digs and 13 kills, Sam Klauer added 12 digs and Courtney Scarlett supplied 10 digs. Setter Justine Hunter had 26 assists and 11 digs, and middle blockers Megan Halstead (4 kills, 6 blocks) and Jessica Steigelman (3 kills, 2 blocks) had strong offensive games as well.
San Benito’s (9-11) attention is now on Salinas, though. The match will begin at 6:30 p.m. in Hollister.
“It’ll be very challenging. It’ll be very interesting,” Askanas said. “We’ll have to play our best. We’ll have to play top-level volleyball, but I think we can do it.
“This is the toughest test in league so far.”
