With another win this week in the final match of the preseason, the Palo Alto High School girls’ varsity volleyball team (12-0) defeated San Benito High School (4-4) in three games on Thursday at Paly.
With several errors in the first points of the match, it was a shaky start to the Lady Vikes’ second consecutive home game this week. The team won 25-16, 25-23 and 25-9, but struggled in the second game of the match.
“We had a little bit of a slump in the middle, when we were making a lot of errors,” Paly setter Kimmy Whitson (’12) said. “But we definitely came back from it and played really well in the end.”
Whitson contributed 36 assists and eight digs in the match.
The Lady Vikes were slow to dissect San Benito’s scrappy defense throughout the first two games, but were able to set up a smart offense and regain control in the third game. Paly middle blocker Melanie Wade (’12) added 14 kills and three blocks for the Lady Vikes.
San Benito put up a tough fight, but in the end they fell to the Lady Vikes’ strategic placement on the court.
“When you play a team that’s this good, their offense [will] eventually [take] over, like in game three,” San Benito head coach Dean Askanas said. “I’m very proud of our team because they played to their capability.”
In the second game of the match, the Lady Vikes allowed San Benito to lead 11-7, but a kill by Paly outside hitter Trina Ohms (‘11) changed Paly’s momentum, and the team slowly overtook the Haybalers. Ohms had nine kills on the night.
“At the beginning of the game it was difficult trying to kill the ball without [the other team] getting it up,” Paly opposite Caroline Martin (‘12) said. “We got better at placing it in the right spot so we could get a kill.”
It seemed as though San Benito might capture the second game of the match, when the team led 20-19. An overpass kill by Paly outside hitter Maddie Kuppe (‘12), who had 10 kills in the match, tied the game. With two smart tips by Wade and a kill from Ohms, the Lady Vikes won the second game 25-23.
“We started talking a little bit more,” Martin said. “We started being smart about where we hit things.”
The Lady Vikes eased through the last game, utilizing free balls and picking up their offense. The team scored 14 consecutive points and won 25-9.
The Lady Vikes start the regular season next week.
“The wins are good,” Whitson said. “I can’t wait for the next couple of weeks.”
The Lady Vikes will compete in the Harbor Tournament in Santa Cruz on Saturday, where they are seeded No. 1. Paly’s next non-tournament game is away against Los Altos on Tuesday at 6:45 p.m.