The 2012 boys volleyball season was a watershed moment for the Balers. For the only the second time in school history, the Balers won their league title – going 15-1 in league play while finishing 25-5.
Behind seniors David Hawks and Isaiah Acfalle, San Benito dominated in the Tri-County Athletic League.
Both players are gone, but the expectations have only risen for the Balers, who reload with Dylan Lomanto, Robert Henderson and Carlos Gutierrez. Under new head coach Veronica Companion, this year, the Balers want to accomplish something the school never has – win a Central Coast Section playoff game.
After consecutive wins over Palma, Alisal and Gilroy, so far things look good for San Benito.
“I know the caliber of athletes that they are,” Companion said. “And I did go to a bunch of games last year. I’m aware of what they can do. I do know the caliber of athletes that are on this team. It’s a matter of getting their mental and their passion of the game married with that athleticism to be quite honest. It’s very easy. In terms of potential based on the ones that played club and the experience on the team, there really isn’t a limit to what they can do.”
To do that, the Balers will rely on the Henderson and Lomanto combo, Companion said.
“Their volleyball IQ is very high,” she said. “Iron sharpens iron so as long as they are helping the rest of the team with their volleyball IQ, that’s the strength of the team. There is a bunch of great athletes and it’s a matter of the passion and the volleyball IQ.”
And Henderson is up for the task, he said.
“We know how to play in tough situations,” Henderson said. “Last year I thought we were a little hesitant in big games. This year we should be more confident. I’m just trying to lead by example. Sometimes it’s hard to get pumped up for a game when it isn’t the hardest opponent – even for myself. But we are finding a way to get all the guys together.”
When it comes to the new head coach – the Balers’ fourth in four years – San Benito is in comfortable hands, Henderson said.
“She knows the game of volleyball better than anyone I know,” he said. “She can see every little detail before any of us can imagine seeing it. She has a knowledge of the game and I’m constantly learning from her all the time. That’s really good for us.”
Companion has a lot of history with many of the Baler players as well, coaching club level volleyball with them, she said. With that knowledge, Companion expects to get the most from the Balers.
“A lot of the parents have been requesting my husband and me to come here,” she said. “That’s how we got brought here. We like the school. We love the feeling of this town. It’s a huge town with a small town feel.”
The Balers traveled to Salinas on Tuesday and hosted Christopher on Thursday. Look online for an update.
