It’s been a memorable season for the Christopher and San Benito girls volleyball teams. Now in their seventh year as a program, the Cougars have their best team yet under fourth-year coach Brian Calimpong. The Haybalers, meanwhile, are on the cusp of winning their first outright league title since 2007.
Christopher wants to get where San Benito is, and that’s at the top of the Monterey Bay League’s Gabilan Division. The teams played against each other for the second time this season on Tuesday, with the host Balers winning 25-14, 25-10, 25-15. San Benito (28-6 overall, 10-1 league) clinched at least a share of the league championship, and they can win it outright with an expected victory over Watsonville on Thursday.
“If we win on Thursday, we’re rightful winners and No. 1 in league,” Balers coach Ruth Testman said.
Looking ahead, there’s a strong chance San Benito will earn one of the top two seeds in the Central Coast Section Division I playoff bracket. Christopher’s situation is not as clear, as it has to qualify in Division II, a field that includes NorCal powerhouse programs St. Francis and Mitty. The Cougars (20-12, 5-6) are projected to get in, but Calimpong said he’ll worry about the postseason at this weekend’s coaches’ meeting.
“Looking at the (power) points, we should be good to make it,” he said.
It took all of 58 minutes for San Benito to beat Christopher, and Calimpong acknowledged his team was facing a superior squad.
“Their serving was tough, and we couldn’t get in system all night,” he said. “That was more of their serving then us having bad passers. We’re usually a good passing team, but they kept us off-balance all night. As quick as they run some of their attacks, it’s tough to defend.”
Despite the loss, Calimpong said he’s been proud of his players’ effort. At the beginning of the season, the coaching staff implored the players to consistently give a great effort.
“Regardless if we get beat, we’ve asked the girls to compete,” Calimpong said. “They do it every night, and that’s what we’re most proud of this year.”
Three years ago, the Cougars won the MBL’s Pacific Division title, then got promoted to the upper Gabilan Division the following year. They’ve stayed there ever since, no small feat.
Teams in every sport usually have trouble staying in the upper division once they get promoted, but the Cougars have built a program that seemingly has what it takes to stay in the Gabilan for good.
This season the Cougars have been led by dynamic setter Christa Arroyo and potent outside hitters Samantha Dolan and Katelyn Viray.
“Katelyn and Sam have had great years, but none of it works without Christa,” Calimpong said. “The athletic plays she made tonight, very few setters in this league can make those plays. She’s that good of an athlete.”
Libero Marielle Gomez has also played well for most of the season, boosting the team with her hustle and acrobatic defensive play. Calimpong said the team hasn’t c0mpletely put everything together, but he loves the direction the program is headed.
“We don’t have the volleyball culture that’s existed here in Hollister for multiple decades,” he said. “But we’re trying to build that culture here. And we’ve done some good things this year. We beat Salinas for the first time, and we’ve been competitive against the top teams. That hasn’t happened before. The girls have done everything we’ve asked of them.”
