San Benito’s set streak ends at 29, but ‘Balers top Monterey in
five to improve to 10-0 in TCAL
MONTEREY
The streak ended in Monterey Thursday, but San Benito remains unbeaten, nonetheless.
Playing on the road against the four-time defending league champion Toreadors, the San Benito High boys volleyball team lost its very first set in Tri-County Athletic League play Thursday, ending a streak of 29 straight sets won by the Haybalers.
San Benito previously beat Monterey 3-0 on March 24, but on Thursday, after the ‘Balers built a 2-0 lead with 25-22 and 25-19 victories, the Toreadors took the next two sets 25-21 and 25-22 before a deciding fifth game was in order.
Now with the sweep-streak done and its undefeated record suddenly on the line, San Benito staved off Monterey in the fifth and deciding game, 16-14.
The ‘Balers shined on defense, where three different players chimed in with 20-plus digs, including Javier Castaneda (29), Danny Ruiz (26) and Luis Bradley (25).
On the night, San Benito compiled a whopping 102 total digs.
Senior setter Adrian Rodriguez also continued with his impressive season, dishing out 39 assists, while the ‘Balers put down a total 46 kills against Monterey.
Erik Rodriguez led the team with 15 kills, while teammate Danny Ruiz had 10.
Despite losing its first set of the TCAL season, San Benito remains undefeated in TCAL play at 10-0, and holds a one game lead in the loss column over rival Gilroy.
The two teams will meet Tuesday in Hollister at 6:30 p.m., in a match that will very likely decide the eventual TCAL champion.
TEAM 1 2 3 4 5
SANB 25 25 21 22 16
MONT 22 19 25 25 14