San Benito's Justine Hunter celebrates a point during the second game of the CCS playoffs Saturday afternoon as the 'Balers beat Piedmont Hills to move to the semifinal round Thursday in Watsonville.
Emily Tonascia gets up to block a shot Saturday afternoon. She had nine blocks during Saturday's CCS win over Piedmont Hills. The Lady 'Balers swept the Pirates in three games 25-13. 25-14, 25-16.
Knowing as much about his quarterfinal opponent in Piedmont Hills as, say, the back of your hand, San Benito girls volleyball coach Dean Askanas seemed to be more concerned with his own team last week.
But on Saturday, with setter Justine Hunter delivering an all-around performance, Emily Tonascia supplying perhaps her best match of the season, and newcomer Jessica Mead stepping up to the varsity table, the San Benito girls volleyball team really didn't have to know too much about Piedmont Hills anyway.
The No. 4 Lady 'Balers quickly dispatched the No. 5 Pirates in three games (25-13, 25-14, 25-16) on Saturday in the quarterfinal round of the Central Coast Section Girls Volleyball Championships at Watsonville High, and now advance to the Division I semifinals for the fifth year in a row against a team they know almost too much about.
San Benito will look to make it to the championship round for what would be the fifth consecutive year when they face top-seeded Salinas in the semifinals on Thursday.
It will mark the third time this year San Benito (14-21) and Salinas (22-7) have squared off, with the rival Cowboys taking each of the first two matches, one in five games (30-32, 25-20, 25-23, 12-25, 7-15) and the other in four games (17-25, 16-25, 26-24, 21-25).
"We played them tough [in the second match], we played them a little tougher," Askanas said of Salinas. "They're a good team and they have good athletes. We'll just come out and play ball and see what we do … I have faith that we'll get out and play ball."
Salinas downed No. 9 Oak Grove (23-14) on Saturday in three games as well, 25-13, 25-15, 25-19.
Despite having not played in more than a week, though, the Lady 'Balers made quick work of Piedmont Hills, which were described going in as an outside-hitting team that tended to favor the left side.
"They wanted to use the outside and both of their outsides were pretty good," Askanas said. "I don't think they've seen many tough teams during the season, so it's hard. But they did a good job and they played with a lot of enthusiasm."
Hunter had 18 assists, five kills, 12 digs and four blocks, Tonascia had seven kills and nine blocks, while Mead, who was recently brought up from the junior varsity, contributed seven kills.
Said Askanas of Mead, "I put her on the outside and she did great. She did terrific … She has a nice fluid swing and she finds the court. She's a good fit.
"And Emily (Tonascia) just shut them down with authority. She had probably her best match of the season … She's a really nice person and sometimes it's not good to be a nice person when you're competing. Her and I have had that talk, and she needs to turn on that animal inside when she competes. Today, she turned the animal on and tore them up."
Sara Yamasaki and Shayna Nakata each added 17 digs apiece.
The Lady 'Balers now turn their attention to Salinas on Thursday at 7:30 p.m., at Watsonville High. The winner will advance to Saturday's final against either No. 2 Homestead (25-8) or No. 3 Evergreen Valley (21-9).
"One thing I've always said, regardless of us winning or losing, is I feel like they do play to their ability. They're not leaving things on the table," Askanas said. "They give it their all out there and they play with a ton of heart."
Andrew Matheson Andrew Matheson is a sports writer for South Valley Newspapers. He can be reached at 831-637-5566 ext. 334 or at amatheson@svnewspapers.com.
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