Mallorie Wilson is glad to be back at San Benito High and the
feeling is mutual. Wilson spent the 2002-03 school year at King
City High after being a Haybaler her first two years. Wilson, now a
senior tri-captain on the Baler volleyball team where she plays
middle blocker, is ready to lead her Balers to glory.
What she brings, besides a physical presence at the net, is
vocal leadership and intensity, something which can’t be
taught.
”
She’s the most aggressive player I have,
”
said Baler head volleyball coach Chuck Schallhorn.
”
She’s really intense. She’s not afraid to tear into somebody if
they’re not doing their job.
”
Mallorie Wilson is glad to be back at San Benito High and the feeling is mutual. Wilson spent the 2002-03 school year at King City High after being a Haybaler her first two years. Wilson, now a senior tri-captain on the Baler volleyball team where she plays middle blocker, is ready to lead her Balers to glory.
What she brings, besides a physical presence at the net, is vocal leadership and intensity, something which can’t be taught.
“She’s the most aggressive player I have,” said Baler head volleyball coach Chuck Schallhorn. “She’s really intense. She’s not afraid to tear into somebody if they’re not doing their job.”
“I hate to lose,” said Wilson, who was a JV call-up to the Baler varsity late in the season two years ago. “I’m not a good sport when I lose. I have high expectations of this team. We should set the bar high.”
Schallhorn calls senior back row Amy Baxter one of his leaders, also, but a “quiet one.” Baxter is happy to share leadership duties with Wilson, who merely goes about it in a different way.
“She’s on every play,” said Baxter of Wilson. “She picks us up when we’re down. I’m glad she’s here. We really need her.”
Wilson had to apply as a hardship case with the Central Coast Section office to transfer back. Wilson’s father was moving to Visalia halfway through this school year.
“That would have put my basketball season in jeopardy,” said Wilson.
Yes, Wilson, at “6-feet-1 in shoes”, can play basketball some. Her mother, Cristie Ledesma, earned a scholarship to USF while playing for Notre Dame-Salinas, graduating in 1980. Ledesma, who played at USF for two years, was head girls varsity basketball coach at San Benito for two seasons in the early ’90’s. You see, Wilson, who has a standing vertical of 21 inches, has hops and hoops in her genes.
“My dad and I would always be taking Mallorie out to play sports somewhere when she was younger,” said Ledesma, who coached Mallorie on a Parks and Recreation hoop team years ago. “I’m excited to have her back with me so I can watch her play.”
A stranger at King City, Wilson had to fight her way into both varsity volleyball and basketball lineups. Both King City coaches had set lineups and it wasn’t easy, but Wilson did it.
This is a critical year for Wilson, who desires to get an athletic scholarship. It doesn’t matter which sport.
“I can’t choose between basketball or volleyball,” said Wilson, who might grow another inch, according to Cristie. “I love both. Hoop is in my blood.”
“If she works hard for a club volleyball team this year, she could possibly earn a Division II scholarship,” said Schallhorn. “Maybe a Division I, depending on what school.”
Wilson feels defense is her strength, an important strength to have. So is her intensity and leadership on the hardwood. The Balers would be smart to make good use of everything Wilson has to give, if they are to have a successful season, be it volleyball or basketball.
She’s a keeper…..finally.
