The San Benito girls volleyball team improved its overall record to 9-8 after defeating league-opponent Monte Vista Christian 3-0 on Thursday and finishing 2-1 at the Menlo Tournament on Saturday.
Against Monte Vista Christian, San Benito controlled the contest from the beginning winning 25-20, 28-26, 25-19 to pull to 2-2 in the Monterey Bay League’s Gabilan Division.
In the win, Ellie Burly killed a game-high 18 balls. Burley also led the Balers with 13 digs. Marissa Espino controlled the Balers’ tempo, finishing with 34 assists. Erica Chapa finished with seven kills and Alexandria Smallwood finished with four kills.
The victory propelled the Balers into Saturday’s tournament. San Benito opened with consecutive two-set victories over Half Moon Bay (25-6, 25-11) and Carmel (25-10, 25-14).
San Benito’s only lost came to Woodside Priory School. The Balers lost 25-20, 25-15.
The Balers’ league season continues Thursday when the Balers host Watsonville at 6:30 p.m.
AHS Volleyball
The Hawks lost their first league game Thursday, falling 3-1 to Santa Catalina School in San Juan Bautista.
Anzar started fast, winning the first set 26-24 in a tiebreaker. Afterward, Anzar couldn’t break 20 points. The Hawks lost the final three sets 25-19, 25-18, 25-19.
In the loss, Raleigh McKinney led Anzar with 27 kills. Mali Gonzalez finished with 53 digs and setter Monica Medina finished with 37 assists.
The Hawks travel to Pacific Grove at 6 p.m. Tuesday.
SBHS boys water polo
The Balers lost their fourth MBL Gabilan Division game Thursday, falling to Carmel 4-8.
San Benito has struggled in the beginning of the season, starting 1-4 inside the MBL. The Balers travel to Salinas at 3 p.m. Tuesday.
AHS Cross-country
Anzar continued its strong start Thursday, besting Georgiana Bruce Kirby, Marina High, Oakwood High during a multi-school meet at Alvarez High School.
On the girls side, Anzar’s Ali Bautista (21:36) and Carly Zako (21:40) finished sixth and seventh to help pace the Hawks to victory.
Yvette Felix (22:50) and Adriana Vasquez (24:12) also finished in the top 15 for the Hawks. Because of the strong finishes, the Anzar girls team bested Marina by nearly 2 minutes.
The Anzar boys also ran well. Diego Leon finished with the best time by only two seconds. His time of 15:14 was a minute faster than the next Hawk, Nat Hsia-Caron, who finished with a time of 16:20.
Christian Monroy (16:41) placed 10th for the Hawks.
The Hawks finished third overall behind York and Pacific Collegiate.
