San Benito showed some fight early on, but it wasn’t enough to
overcome Tri-County Athletic League champion Monterey in the what
could be final boys volleyball game of the season.
Hollister – San Benito showed some fight early on, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Tri-County Athletic League champion Monterey in the what could be final boys volleyball game of the season.
The Torreadores (23-8, 14-0) closed out a perfect league season with a 25-20, 25-19, 25-17victory.
“I wasn’t disappointed,” San Benito coach Luis Espinoza said. “They just have too many weapons. We were in every single game, it was just tough to match up with their caliber of players.”
The first game was back and forth early on, but a 4-0 spurt that featured kills by Sterling Wilson and Brian Hawks gave the Haybalers (14-12, 9-5 TCAL) a 9-7 lead. That eventually became a 13-10 lead before Monterey scored five straight points and eight of the next nine to make it 19-14.
San Benito crawled back into it and got as close as 21-19 before the Torreadores finished off the 25-20 win and kept the momentum going to earn the sweep.
Sterling Wilson led the team with six kills and four blocks. Chris Flippo had four kills and seven digs, Erik Rodriguez had five kills and Luis Rosales had 15 assists.
The ‘Balers are still hopeful of receiving an at-large selection to the Central Coast Section playoffs on the basis of strength of schedule and strong performances in the last two tournaments they competed in.
“I’m hoping that will get us in,” Espinoza said.
The seeding meeting is Saturday.
Regardless of a potential playoff berth, Espinoza was happy with how the season went.
“We had a real good team, even though it was up and down season,” he said. “I’m happy with seniors, they did a real good job. I know I’m going to have to fill some real big spots. We’ve got some pretty big shoes to fill.”
