Inexperience was the name of the game on both sides of the net
Tuesday as old rivals San Benito and Gilroy ushered in the
Tri-County Athletic League campaign at Bob Hagen Memorial Gym.
Gilroy – Inexperience was the name of the game on both sides of the net Tuesday as old rivals San Benito and Gilroy ushered in the Tri-County Athletic League campaign at Bob Hagen Memorial Gym.
It was the Haybalers, however, who seemed to take the rivalry more seriously during the match as they scrapped their way to a 25-21, 25-16, 23-25, 25-20 win.
“We were a little tight at the start,” San Benito coach Luis Espinoza said. “We have a long ways to go. We have to get better.”
The ‘Balers (2-3) were good enough, controlling the net behind Chris Flippo and Sterling Wilson. Flippo was on defense a year ago and the 6-8 Wilson wasn’t even playing. Flippo started strong and finished with eight kills and four aces. After missing some easy kills, Wilson was strong at the end and finished with 11 kills and five blocks.
“I didn’t expect much from him this being his first year,” Espinoza said of Wilson. “He showed me a lot. He’ll be dominant hopefully after the next four, five games.”
Gilroy (3-7) countered with a solid effort from 6-5 junior Kevin Bruce, who had seven kills, six blocks and nine service points. However, there were stretches when Bruce hardly touched the ball.
“Some of our guys seemed to be moving in slow motion,” GHS coach Sue Grogan said. “They were not playing up to par. There were just errors that really killed us.”
Grogan was referring to 17 attack errors and nine service errors.
With Alfred Medenceles getting eight straight service points, the Mustangs raced in front 12-5 in the first game. Gilroy maintained the advantage until Flippo came through with three kills and three service winners to help San Benito turn things around.
The ‘Balers never trailed in game 2 with Eric Rodriguez serving five straight points as San Benito moved ahead 8-1 and maintained at least a three-point lead.
GHS led by as many as seven points in game 3 (15-8) before Luis Rosales (15 assists and nine digs) and Wilson rallied San Benito. Libero David De la Cruz was solid in the back row all evening with 17 digs.
“De la Cruz didn’t see much action last year,” Espinoza said. “He knows where the ball’s at. In game situations I know he’ll be there. Flippo played club ball in the offseason and it’s really made a difference in his game.”
It was an opener for both teams fraught with mistakes. Espinoza figures Monterey will be the team to beat. Whereas San Benito has until April before it faces the Toreadors, Gilroy is at Monterey next Tuesday.
The ‘Balers are home with Seaside at 6:30pm Thursday.
Junior Varsity: In a spirited opening match, Gilroy edged San Benito 25-23, 21-25, 15-13.
