The San Benito High boys’ volleyball team had only one league loss in sharing the Monterey Bay League championship with Watsonville last year.
So when the Haybalers opened up league play this season with two straight losses, one would assume several red flags would’ve gone up in the Balers’ program.
However, second-year San Benito coach Veronica Companion knew it was only a matter of time before the Balers started to find their rhythm, and in the team’s next match against Gilroy on March 14, they did just that.
San Benito thrashed Gilroy, delivering a 25-3, 25-8 25-16 beatdown in a match that lasted just 58 minutes. It went on to beat Salinas to even its league record to 2-2 entering Thursday’s match against Christopher.
“It was good (to get that first win against Gilroy), and hopefully we can build on it,” Companion said. “We’re focusing on chemistry and how we run our system. The guys this year are adjusting to new roles, and once they get that down, we’ll be more successful.”
Whether or not the Balers can repeat as league champions will depend on their passing efficiency. Offensive firepower is not a question, not with the likes of one of the most imposing front lines in all of the Central Coast Section.
In 6-foot-3 outside hitter David Stanton, 6-7 middle blocker Gabe Ventura, 6-5 middle blocker Saul Robles and 6-5 outside hitter Tristan Russell, the Balers are absolutely loaded with athletes who can flat-out finish a point.
Stanton possesses a deadly jump serve to go along with a winning mentality.
“David is aggressive, he wants to hit the ball hard and he wants to hit it down for the kill,” Companion said. “But the No. 1 thing about David is he’s a tremendous athlete who knows what it takes to win, and that’s a great asset to have on a team.”
Russell is another potent force on the outside, and he can deliver points in a hurry.
“He’s a huge jumper, so when he goes, he goes,” Companion said. “He plays with only one speed, and that’s fast.”
The Balers have some powerful middle blockers in Robles and Ventura, who can be downright intimidating to the opposition. When the ball comes anywhere near Ventura’s swinging zone, look out.
“If our ball control is on, Gabe is unstoppable,” Companion said.
And that’s the ultimate question: Will the Balers be able to pass the ball well enough and get it in position to their big hitters? So far the team’s passing is a work in progress, but Companion feels it will eventually get there.
That’s because of what the team has shown once Companion moved Connor Clayton to libero in the second set of the team’s first match. Clayton, who was a standout outside hitter on last year’s championship-winning team, has stabilized the team’s defense and passing.
Companion is using a modified 5-1 system, where she utilizes two setters, one in the front row (Jesse Esqueda) and one in the back row (Luke Lewis), both of whom are seniors.
Expect the Balers to improve as the season goes along. Companion said the team is loaded with talent, and it has every intention of repeating as league champions.
“It’s going to be a tall order, but if they put the work in, they can win league again,” she said.
Ultimately, it’ll be up to the back row and the setters to get the ball in the prime hitting zones of their outside hitters and middles.
“We just need more match experience and develop that killer instinct,” Companion said. “If we improve in both those areas, we’ll be unstoppable.”
