In typical Gilroy versus San Benito fashion, there wasn’t much
give and take.
In typical Gilroy versus San Benito fashion, there wasn’t much give and take.
Through the first three sets between the Mustangs and Balers boys volleyball teams Tuesday night, neither led by more than five points and each set was decided by five points or less.
But then came the fourth.
Ahead two-sets-to-one, GHS quickly shut the door on a fifth-set possibility, running away with the set to clinch a 23-25, 25-20, 25-22, 25-12 victory over the Balers in Tri-County Athletic League action.
“They came out, they worked hard. Once everything started to get cleaned up, the firepower kind of pulled us away a little bit,” GHS coach Scott Martin said.
At 11-1 in league, the Mustangs hold a two-game lead over second-place San Benito. Gilroy hosted Palma on Thursday. Results were not available at press time.
Gilroy had the Balers on the ropes at 23-22 before the visitors rattled off three straight points to steal the match.
“We just wanted to get them back and run what we run,” John Lester said.
Though close, the Mustangs took both sets two and three to claim the one-set advantage.
The fourth set turned completely the Mustangs’ favor as they morphed an 8-7 score into a 17-5 run.
“We knew that they would want it bad and make it a close game,” said Dietrich Baumgartner, who posted a game-high 22 kills.
AJ Been totaled seven kills and Robby Filice registered six to round out the offensive statistics. The Mustangs marked 50 digs as a team, led by Been’s 13 and Connor Escobar’s seven. Lester led the way with four blocks.
