San Benito falls at home in three games to Salinas
San Benito coach Luis Espinoza knows that a team can learn as much and sometimes more from its defeats than its victories.
He’s trying to convince his players of that, especially after Thursday’s 25-19, 25-16, 25-22 Tri-County Athletic League defeat to visiting Seaside.
“I know we can be one of the top three teams,” Espinoza said. “I believe our guys are that good. We need to work and play as a team. There were spots when we didn’t work as a team and that hurt us and cut simple mistakes.”
It was not like the match Tuesday against Gilroy when the ‘Balers (2-4 TCAL, 1-1) were able to overcome their mistakes because the Mustangs committed more.
The Spartans (2-1, 2-0) were outstanding defensively and faster than San Benito players anticipated. They are a team that waits until its opponents make mistakes. It worked well against the ‘Balers.
“They don’t give you points, you have to earn them,” Espinoza said of Seaside, which is considered one of the top TCAL teams. “I don’t think our guys were ready for their speed.”
Matt Hawkes had seven kills for the ‘Balers. Sterling Wilson had five kills and seven blocks. Brian Hawks had eight blocks. Luis Rosales had 15 assists. Daniel Ruiz and David De la Cruz combined for 11 digs.
“I’m not happy with the loss,” Espinoza said. “You’re never happy with a loss. And yet, it showed what we need to work on. We have to have our middle blockers follow our setters and be able to dig every ball.
“Each game we play, we’re getting better. The trouble is other teams are getting better, too.”
San Benito resumes TCAL action at 6:30pm Tuesday at Watsonville.
