I’m not what you would call business savvy, but I do know this: There’s never been a better selling time for local boys’ volleyball teams.
Boys’ volleyball has never enjoyed the same popularity as girls’ volleyball and is often the overlooked stepsister of the spring sports. But the permanent rain cloud that has parked itself directly over the South Valley and successfully rained out what feels like half of all baseball and softball games is making the sport more and more appealing everyday.
Why? Because the volleyball teams are actually playing their games. Indoors. Out of the rain.
That reason in itself is reason enough to get to a volleyball game. But there’s an added bonus: The teams are doing pretty well.
Gilroy (20-8) and San Benito (12-9) are tied for first place in the Tri-County Athletic League with league records of 9-1.
The ‘Balers won the first clash between the two rivals in a full five-game match. Both teams are led by dominant senior outside hitters – Vinny DeLorenzo for Gilroy and Jon Crepeau for San Benito.
DeLorenzo pounded 27 kills on third-place Palma Tuesday. Crepeau has churned out several 20-kill-plus games this season, despite being hobbled by a nagging ankle injury.
The league title will be on the line when the teams meet for the second time at 6:30pm in Gilroy April 25. When the Mustangs and the ‘Balers played each other March 16 in Hollister, the ‘Balers rallied to win in five sets after being down 2-1.
Live Oak’s records of 5-8 overall and 4-8 in TCAL aren’t impressive – until you consider that the Acorns have just six players on the roster, the exact amount needed on the floor to play. The Acorns have lost four straight matches since going from seven to six players deep two weeks ago. But three of those matches were against league leaders Gilroy, San Benito and Palma. Against San Benito, the Acorns showed how dangerous they can be, taking the ‘Balers to five games. As long as go-to senior outside hitter Mike Lucarelli-Cowles is on the floor, Live Oak has the ability to win all of its remaining TCAL games.
You will have to make a bit of a trek up Hecker Pass to see even more of the area’s very best volleyball. But the reward is worth it. Boys’ volleyball is the premier sport at tiny but mighty Mt. Madonna. The Hawks, who are 18-8 on the year, are perennial Central Coast Section playoff contenders and knocked off the ‘Balers in straight sets last week.
So if you’re A) Sick of not having any baseball or softball to watch or B) Sick of having to watch the games that do get played from a boat on the sidelines, I suggest you check out some volleyball.
