Tuesday’s match against host Monterey offered the toughest test
of the season so far for Gilroy High’s boys volleyball team, but it
didn’t stop the Mustangs from earning their sixth victory in as
many games.
MONTEREY – Tuesday’s match against host Monterey offered the toughest test of the season so far for Gilroy High’s boys volleyball team, but it didn’t stop the Mustangs from earning their sixth victory in as many games.
Winning in five sets – 24-26, 25-23, 25-20, 21-25, 15-9 – Gilroy received a wide variety of contributions, none more noticeable than Greg Calimpong’s 49 assists to go with four kills and nine digs.
“I can’t even remember a Gilroy setter going above 40,” Mustangs coach Scott Martin said. “Greg did an excellent job distributing the ball. We’ve had great contributions from everyone on the team so far this season.”
Calimpong allowed four GHS players – Samuel Howard, Etay Haramaty, Thomas Costa and Alfred Medenceles – to each tally 10 kills or more, while Nico Sandoval recorded a team-high nine digs. Medenceles and Howard had nine and eight digs, respectively, and Gilroy’s Steven Valdez was stifling at the net, blocking six slams.
Monterey has won the last four Tri-County Athletic League championships, making Tuesday’s victory over the Toreadors a bit of a litmus test on how good Gilroy could be this season. The Mustangs have never won a TCAL title.
“I definitely wouldn’t call us the favorite,” Martin said. “Monterey is always good. Hollister, I know, is going to be good based on some of the players who are going to be there, who I coached in club.
“We just have to stay the course and continue to play hard, intense. We’re fortunate to be on a roll and we should enjoy it.”
Gilroy will return home Thursday when it hosts Alisal in a 7 p.m. match.
