The hallmark of a successful season — for any team — is defined by whether or not it reached its potential.
Judging by that standard, the 2013 season will go down as one of tremendous success for the San Benito High girls’ volleyball team. The Haybalers finished 24-13, dropping a four-game match to Palo Alto last Saturday in a Central Coast Section Division I playoff quarterfinal.
“I was sad that the season ended, and the girls were sad it ended,” San Benito coach Dean Askanas said. “We had high aspirations to make a deep playoff run, but I felt we absolutely got the most out of our abilities, and we had a great season.”
The Balers beat Palo Alto earlier in the season in a pool play match in the Harbor Invitational, but they simply didn’t have the necessary offensive firepower to win the rematch.
“There were parts of the game where we were just ineffective offensively,” Askanas said. “We just couldn’t put the ball away. Palo Alto just outplayed us on defense and they have more offense than we do.”
Freshman sensation Marisa Villegas led the team with 15 kills and fellow outside hitter Allee Smallwood had 13. However, Palo Alto was simply the bigger team, and the Balers couldn’t overcome that.
“To get to a certain level, you need that one player who can demolish the ball no matter how good the opposing team is defensively,” Askanas said. “Some teams are just bigger than we are, and that’s part of the demographics of Hollister. We’re not tiny by any stretch, but we don’t have that 6-1 kid who can terminate the ball against anyone. It’s always a bit of a concern, but I felt great about this group and what they could do. I feel good about who we have coming back, too.”
The Balers should have an even better team in 2014, as they return four of their six starters, including Villegas, defensive specialist Ally Murphy, and middle blockers Haley Leifheit and Bailee Nelson.
Askanas also expects an excellent crop of newcomers from the junior varsity and freshmen teams to move up to the varsity level and make an impact. If Villegas continues to improve and reaches a level where she is one of the section’s top players, then the Balers will be tough to beat.
“Who knows what the limit is for Marisa,” Askanas said. “It’s that high because she’s such a special athlete.”
Villegas led the team in number of points won on service (157), aces (45), while ranking second in kills and digs. The Balers must find a capable replacement at the setter position, as starter Erica Chapa and starting opposite and No. 2 setter Serena Adame both will be gone due to graduation.
Askanas said wins over Palo Alto and Notre Dame-Salinas were the top highlights of the season, especially the latter. The Balers had lost to Notre Dame in five games in an earlier meeting, but they destroyed the Spirits in three straight in the rematch on Senior Night.
Looking ahead, San Benito should be buoyed by an influx of talented newcomers for 2014 and beyond.
“We’ll be in good shape,” Askanas said. “All of our girls play club, so that’s going to help us make progress to help us reach our goal to win another CCS championship.”
