If the blend of a little experience and a lot of youth can come
together for the Hollister High boys volleyball team in 2003, the
Balers can contend for the Tri-County Athletic League title.
If the blend of a little experience and a lot of youth can come together for the Hollister High boys volleyball team in 2003, the Balers can contend for the Tri-County Athletic League title.
So says second-year coach Henke Mao, whose Balers will take a 3-3 non-league skein into league action, which starts this Wednesday vs. Monterey at Mattson Gym. Though the Balers play a 14-game league schedule, they will really know where they stand after this week’s matches. They play consensus favorite Gilroy at home on Friday.
“If we can improve our ball control, we could do well,” said Mao. “Our passing is lacking and our setting is inconsistent. We have a couple of players who can put the ball away if we can just get the ball to them.”
The two players with kill abilities are senior middle blocker Brannon Wynn and senior outside hitter Travis Fowles, two of the four returning players from last year’s varsity. Mao hopes the others, who have hitting ability, can improve as the season goes along.
Mao has a roster of 11 players. Here is a breakdown of his personnel with comments from Mao:
Setter – Jeff Hawks (So.) “I really like his attitude. We’re working on him jumpsetting. The varsity competition is much faster than junior varsity. He’ll improve as the season goes on.”
Opposite – Nathan Thome (so.) As important as the setter for he’ll set if Hawks receives the serve. “Great attitude. He’ll improve. He has good jumping ability.”
Outside hitter – Fowles. “He has good spring, good hops. If he can perform consistently, he could carry the team. He’s an awesome hitter.”
Outside hitter – Peter Prak (jr.) “A good jumper. We’re working on his swing.”
Outside hitter – Adam Salas (so.) and Nathan Davies (so.) “They’re green. We’re working on increasing their jumping ability.”
Middle blocker – Wynn. Stands 6-foot-3. Left-handed. “Very good attitude. “He stabilizes the team. He’s a force in the middle.”
MIddle blocker – Tomas Rebecchi (jr.) The tallest player on the team at 6-4. “He has a good approach, but needs to be more aggressive and improve his footwork. He has all the tools to become a very good player.”
Defensive specialist – Edward Kauffman (so.) Played a lot last year on the varsity. Best server on the team. “He can hit from the back row. Good athlete, good jumper.”
Defensive specialist – Kyle Fowles (so.) Cousin of Travis. “He’s fast, steady. Needs to learn to pass better.”
Defensive specialist – Ignacio Vallejo (sr.) Worked hard to make the team. “I like the way he worked hard to make the team. That showed me something and I rewarded him.”
Mao picks Gilroy to win the league with Live Oak and Monterey as other good teams. Seaside could also be good.
And so could the Balers, who have two tough tests this week. If they pass, who knows?
Game results: Hollister swept Lincoln Monday night in San Jose 15-4, 15-8, 15-2. The Balers took sixth out of 12 teams at the Oak Grove Tournament on Saturday, going 2-3 in matches.
2003 boys volleyball schedule
March 19 – Monterey*
March 21 – Gilroy*
March 24 – Watsonville (tentative)
March 26 – at Seaside*
March 28 – Live Oak*
April 2 – at Alisal*
April 4 – at Palma*
April 5 – at Alisal Spring Classic
April 9 – at Salinas*
April 11 – at Monterey*
April 16 – at Gilroy*
April 25 – Seaside*
April 30 – at Live Oak*
May 2 – Alisal*
May 7 – Palma*
May 9 – Salinas*
*Denotes T-CAL matches
League matches start at 6:30 p.m.
