Four-game loss to Chieftains puts San Benito’s CCS hopes in
jeopardy; tonight’s visit to Gilroy critical for postseason
chances
Hollister – Now, they really need to focus on Gilroy. If the Haybalers had overlooked Palma with a showdown with the Mustangs set for the next night, Monday’s loss to the Chieftains made tonight’s match that much bigger.
Entering the Palma contest knotted with Gilroy atop the Tri-County Athletic League standings at one loss a piece, the San Benito boys volleyball team probably couldn’t help but look toward a first-place battle tonight. But Palma, clinging to its own postseason hopes, proved its earlier win over the ‘Balers was no fluke by winning Monday’s re-match in four games.
Following its 13-25, 19-25, 25-23, 21-25 defeat to the Chieftains, San Benito dropped to 9-2 in TCAL play, putting its Central Coast Section playoff chances in jeopardy.
The ‘Balers came out flat at the start of the match, seeing Palma (10-9, 8-3 TCAL) win eight straight points to cruise to an easy first-game victory. San Benito (12-10) fell behind 8-2 early in the second game, battled back to take a 19-18 lead, but then gave up six straight points to fall in an 0-2 hole on its home court.
“We knew Palma was good, but we weren’t ready,” ‘Balers senior Jon Crepeau said. “We just didn’t have the intensity, the fire to come out and win. That’s where (the Chieftains) had the advantage.”
Palma, which handed the ‘Balers their only previous league loss with a five-game decision on March 14, came out firing. Senior outside hitters Jacob Powell and Eric Sobotka used their athleticism to fire a number of kills past San Benito defenders and the Chieftains drew momentum from winning several long rallies.
The ‘Balers finally matched their opponent’s intensity, keeping their focus throughout a tightly-contested third game to take a 23-21 lead on a Josh Brown kill. True to a game in which neither team took a lead of more than three points, Palma battled back on a Sobotka spike to pull within one, but San Benito was aided by a controversial ruling on the next point.
As a lengthy rally grabbed the crowd’s attention and saw several players make strong digs to keep the critical point alive, Palma middle blocker Logan Fox was called for a double hit as the referees ruled he made an attacking motion. Despite a debate from Chieftains head coach Josh Gentle, the point was awarded to San Benito, and the ‘Balers went on to close out the game.
San Benito showed its talent and versatility in the fourth game, using contributions from much of its roster to give the Chieftains all they could handle. The net play of Crepeau, Brown and Anthony Parcell proved a good match for Palma’s Powell-Sobotka duo, and ‘Balers Libero Chris Flippo kept his team afloat by saving a number of hard spikes by the Chieftains.
The game swung back and forth to land in a tie at 21, but Palma put the finishing touches on its victory by winning the final four points.
San Benito head coach Luis Espinoza walked away from the match believing that his team cost itself the victory.
Gentle said the difference in the match was that the Chie
“All it is is, we beat ourselves. We came into tonight thinking we were going to win,” Espinoza said. “Overall, we should’ve won. We made the errors. It wasn’t until we got our backs to the wall that we played our kind of game.”ftains were successful in controlling the tempo of the points.
“We preach serve and serve-receive,” Gentle said. “I think we took care of the ball better on serve-receive. They had a hard time getting the ball to their big hitter, Crepeau.”
Crepeau led the ‘Balers with 10 kills and also won 12 service points, while Brown finished with six kills and four blocks. Flippo posted a team-high 21 digs and drew the praise of Palma’s coach for his performance.
“I want No. O on my team,” said Gentle of the ‘Balers’ Libero.
San Benito has a quick turnaround, with its match at Gilroy set for 6pm tonight. Following their defeat to Palma, the ‘Balers know tonight’s contest looms critical in their attempt to gain the league’s sole bid to the CCS playoffs. With five games to play, the ‘Balers trail Gilroy (11-1) and Monterey (10-2) in the TCAL standings.
“The guys know we need to win that game to go to CCS,” Espinoza said. “We put ourselves in a hole. It’s a must win. We have to win tomorrow. No ifs, ands or buts. We have to win.”
