Just like last year, the San Benito girls volleyball team will
need to leave Grass Valley victorious in order to compete for the
CIF Nor-Cal State Volleyball Championship.
Just like last year, the San Benito girls volleyball team will need to leave Grass Valley victorious in order to compete for the CIF Nor-Cal State Volleyball Championship.
Playing the Nevada Union Miners for the second time in as many years, the Lady ‘Balers will look to mimic last season’s five-game win (23-25, 25-23, 20-25, 25-16, 15-12) in the quarterfinals.
Another win will punch San Benito’s ticket to the Nor-Cal Final, but, of course, it won’t be any easier than it was last year.
Nevada Union is returning their entire starting rotation, San Benito coach Dean Askanas said, and they will certainly not be short on motivation, as they’ll be seeking revenge from last season’s upset loss.
“Last year, they were very good and they’re returning all their starters,” Askanas said. “So they’re the team to beat.”
The No. 4 Lady ‘Balers (28-11) defeated unseeded San Ramon Valley in three games Tuesday (25-14, 25-23, 25-23), setting up tonight’s showdown, while the top-seeded Miners (42-4) did the same, cruising to a three-game sweep against visiting Skyline (25-10, 25-6, 25-10).
Despite their seemingly easy first-round win, as well as their win-loss record that’s reminiscent to that of a prize fighter, Nevada Union will play the role of Goliath, and Askanas plans on taking the Miners down through strong serving.
“It’s a matter of us performing and us playing ball,” the coach said. “We want to serve them tough and get them in our system so they can’t run their big hitters down our throat.
“Make their setter move.”
The Miners’ setter, Caroline Reeves, is a 6-foot senior, and is usually assisting 6-foot-1 middle blocker Kylie Miraldi.
Pushing the ball to the outside may be wise, but even then, Nevada Union brings plenty of height with their outside hitters as well.
“It’ll be a real challenge,” Askanas said. “Now, it’s just a matter of playing.”
While Nevada Union wants another shot at San Benito, San Benito would like another shot at Homestead, who the Lady ‘Balers fell to in four games at the Central Coast Section final.
Homestead will play Amador Valley tonight at 7 p.m., and could see the Lady ‘Balers in Tuesday’s Nor-Cal Final if both teams advance.
Homestead, though, is the only opponent both San Benito and Nevada Union have in common. At the High Sierra Invitational in September, Nevada Union split two games with Homestead, losing 2-1 early but returning the favor later in the tournament, 2-0.
“But that was early in the season,” Askanas said. “He’s a good coach and I’m sure they’ve improved. I’m sure they’ve made some adjustments … They’re hungry.”
Game time is 7 p.m.
