SALINAS
–– The San Benito volleyball team was eliminated from the
Central Coast Section playoffs after a 23-25, 18-25, 20-25 loss
against Salinas in the Division 1 quarterfinals Saturday at North
Salinas High.
”
It is always tough to come back against a team that is
winning,
”
said Baler coach Chuck Schallhorn.
”
I am proud of the way the girls played in the first game. That
was the best we’ve played this year. They did everything the way
I’ve been coaching them all year.
”
SALINAS –– The San Benito volleyball team was eliminated from the Central Coast Section playoffs after a 23-25, 18-25, 20-25 loss against Salinas in the Division 1 quarterfinals Saturday at North Salinas High.
“It is always tough to come back against a team that is winning,” said Baler coach Chuck Schallhorn. “I am proud of the way the girls played in the first game. That was the best we’ve played this year. They did everything the way I’ve been coaching them all year.”
The Balers (19-19) played a tight first game, but were forced to play from behind in the next two. San Benito was down by as much as 10-3 in the second game before drawing to within two.
San Benito stayed close in the the third game for the first ten points, even taking the lead a couple times. But Salinas moved ahead for good after that.
“We were serving well, and they were having a tough time with their passes,” said Salinas coach Gina Uccelli. “They have strong blockers, so we were trying to do things like hit off the top of their hands.”
The Cowboys passing was strong, and they came up with several nice defensive saves in the game.
“They have a very scrappy defense,” Schallhorn said. “They played a more consistent game. We had moments of brilliance and dominance, but we weren’t able to sustain it. This sums up the season as well as anything. If you are going to be a top team, the mediocrity can’t be there.”
Although Salinas had won two games in league and one tournament game coming in, the Cowboys knew it wouldn’t be easy.
“I was a little concerned that we would come in overconfident especially playing a team like Hollister,” Uccelli said. “Every time we have played them, they have gotten better. They certainly are a group to be reckoned with next year with the young players coming up.”
Jessica Holmes and Chloe Goldman led the Cowboys with nine kills, and Bailey Cronin had seven.
“They pass and dig well,” Schallhorn said. “I’d like to see them do well in CCS and NorCals.”
“I wanted to go out knowing that I played the best game possible,” said junior outside hitter Alyssa Fowles.
Melissa Moore was the top Baler passer and digger with 11 digs and five kills. Setter Kathleen McCullough had 13 assists to lead the team. She also had four aces.
“We had trouble getting the ball to our best hitter, middle attacker Leslie Schipper,” Schallhorn said. “She didn’t have any sets in the first game and ended up with only 10 attempts total with 4 kills.”
For the three Baler seniors – Melissa Moore, Amy Baxter and Mallorie Wilson – the game brought mixed emotion.
“It was our best game as a whole,” said Wilson, a middle attacker. “It is always sad to see it end and to say goodbye. I am looking forward to club and to basketball.”
Wilson had seven kills, five solo blocks and three assist blocks.
“She had the most intensity and desire to win out there during the match,” Schallhorn said.
The Balers will have an easier time rebuilding next year.
“The seniors will be tough to replace as it is with any team any year,” Schallhorn said. “But it won’t be anything compared to last year when we lost literally every experienced player.”
“As a new coach, I have learned a great deal about running a team,” Schallhorn said. “We will be making some major and some minor changes to the program for next year to teach the girls how to make the most of their athletic talents and turn those into victories.”
