The San Benito High girls volleyball team is about to enter its toughest stretch of the season. The Haybalers, who swept visiting Monte Vista Christian on Thursday—game scores were 25-13, 25-22, 25-21—lost standouts in outside hitter Marisa Villegas and libero Noel Chavarria after the two collided heads going for a pass midway through Game 2 against MVC.
The two were checked out by a trainer and didn’t return to action. Fortunately for the Balers, Villegas was diagnosed with a contusion—not a concussion—and they’re still waiting word on Chavarria’s condition.
“I actually didn’t see it, so I’m going to look at the video,” Balers coach Ruth Testman said. “But it’s a scary thing, and hopefully they’re OK.”
Villegas and Chavarria butted heads after both dove to return a sharp, low-lining serve. Both players were having their usual solid matches. The two combined for 10 service aces—10—in Game 1 alone in leading San Benito (19-3 overall, 7-0 MBL Gabilan) to a Game 1 rout.
The Balers are hoping neither player will miss any extended time. San Benito plays in the Del Mar Tournament in San Jose next weekend—where it will face some of the top teams in the section—before a showdown at Notre Dame-Salinas on Oct. 27, a match that will decide the league championship.
The Balers beat Notre Dame in the teams’ first match on Oct. 1. The Spirits are the only hurdle to San Benito’s quest of running the table in the Gabilan Division. The Balers haven’t dropped a single game to any other team in league action, which speaks volumes to their dominating play halfway through the league season.
“When I first met the girls during the summer, I knew they could kick butt,” Testman said. “I thought they could go undefeated (in league). Everyone was talking about Salinas and how other teams were so good, but I could see the talent with these girls of how there were potential college players. They’re also very coachable, and we’ve done well so far.”
Lauren Sabbatini had a team-high 11 kills, Haley Leifheit had six kills and Camille Finley added four blocks. Against MVC, the Balers didn’t need Villegas or Chavarria to finish the match to close out the victory. However, they’ll need both players if they expect to win the Del Mar Tournament or beat Notre Dame-Salinas.
Fortunately for San Benito, it has depth at libero, as Nicole Andrade produced several acrobatic digs in Games 2 and 3.
“I’m confident with all the girls on the team,” Testman said.
Sabbatini made an impression early on because of her powerful swing, to which Testman nicknamed her Popeye. San Benito is playing like a well-oiled machine, a testament to the players’ improvement and the coaching staff.
