San Benito High looks to improve on third-place
Hollister – The San Benito High girls volleyball team is coming into the season with a new coach and a new look.
The Haybalers don’t have a lot of height, but they have a lot of talent to draw from.
“I’ve pleased with the development,” said coach Jennifer Beall, who moved to Hollister from Maryland to coach the team. “You always wonder when you are coming in and changing things. They are adapting to what I want them to do.”
Beall said she wants her players to have fun in practice but wants them to learn at them at the same time. And one of her goals is to keep all three levels uniform in what they learn.
“It is my job that they are learning and that I am giving them feedback,” Beall said. “I have to make sure we put the best team on the floor. I think they understand that when I give them feedback it is not because I am picking on them.”
Beall is currently carrying 14 players on the varsity team. But each player has a chance to compete for a starting spot.
During practice and drills, Beall keeps tabs on the players’ stats so she is able to measure qualitatively how they stand.
“Keeping 14 doesn’t mean 14 play,” Beall said. “They know in my competitive caldron where they are. If you are organized, it is not that difficult to keep stats.”
The practice teams get points for wins and losses. She also keeps stats on individual numbers like hitting, serving and setting efficiency.
“Its a little more than they are used to, but I think they can respect it because they know the best player will be playing on the court,” Beall said. “They have to earn it in practice everyday. So you don’t have people coming in and slacking off. If they are not there to compete, they won’t play.”
Many of the players on the team like junior Kaitlyn Halla said they like the challenges the new coach gives them.
“It’s been a good workout,” Halla said. “I really like the new coach. She is really intense and gets us ready to go. The practices are always fun.”
One of the players Beall said she was impressed with was freshman Emily Kortsen, who is one of the tallest players on the court at 5-10.
“She has emerged as my top middle,” Beall said. “She has the best hitting percentage of all my middles in practice. She is a sponge. She loves it so much and is not afraid to ask questions.”
“It’s been a lot to learn,” Kortsen said. “It is a lot more intense than middle school.”
Leslie Schipper, who played middle last year, is moving to the outside. Alyssa Fowles will also play on the outside. Alyssa’s younger sister, Chelsea, who is sophomore, is making positive strides as a setter on the team, Beall said.
The Balers, who finished third in the league last year, will again have to get by Notre Dame if they are to win the Tri-County Athletic League championship.
“We are really scrappy on defense,” Beall said. “I’d be very surprised if we weren’t competitive.”
Beall, who hasn’t yet seen any volleyball games since she moved out, hopes to have a good idea what the team can do after the Milpitas tourney.
San Benito will open up its season against Soquel on Aug. 31.
