Sometimes, the hardest thing to do is dominating an opponent when you’re expected to do it.
That’s exactly the situation the San Benito High girls’ volleyball team faced entering Thursday’s Monterey Bay Gabilan Division contest against visiting North Salinas, which came in with a 0-11 record.
Staying focused throughout, the Haybalers rolled to a 25-8, 25-10, 25-7 win to improve to 12-6 overall and 3-1 in league action.
“I can’t make any complaints,” San Benito coach Dean Askanas said. “Sometimes you can play down to the level of your competition, but the girls didn’t do that. We talk about getting ready to win a (potential league) championship, and part of doing that is practicing well before matches. We had a good practice on Wednesday, and hopefully we’ll have many more.”
Freshman sensation Marisa Villegas had a match-high 12 kills and four service aces, senior outside hitter Allee Smallwood finished with 10 kills and two aces, and setter Erica Chapa did a superb job of placing the ball and running the offense.
The Balers played well in every phase of the game, particularly on the mental side.
“We knew North Salinas was a scrappy team and they weren’t going to give up, so we had to be ready for anything,” Smallwood said.
San Benito suffered a devastating blow when their outstanding sophomore middle blocker, Haley Leifheit, suffered a right dislocated patella in a match against Salinas 11 days ago.
Leifheit was instrumental in the team’s upset win over highly-touted Palo Alto in the Harbor Invitational, and provided a true hitting threat and presence in the middle.
“She was awesome,” Askanas said. “We’re starting to implement some new middles in our rotation, and it’s getting there. But Haley will be missed.”
Asked if he thought Leifheit could return this season, Askanas said, “I’m allowed to dream, right?”
The Balers’ ball-control skills were spot on, with libero Serena Adame leading the way. Adame, Smallwood and Chapa are the only three seniors on the team, and they lead by example.
With a polished all-around game, Smallwood has developed into one of the team’s most reliable players.
“My role on the varsity as a sophomore was riding the bench,” she said. “Over the years I’ve grown so much as a person and player, and it’s been a great experience.”
