For a coach, redefining a team is perhaps one of the most difficult things to do. But when one strategy isn't necessarily working, it's also one of the easiest.
San Benito High girls volleyball coach Dean Askanas had to redefine his team this season after it lost bigs Emily Kortsen and Bri Romero - both of whom are currently competing at the next level.
The two outside hitters had a combined 873 kills last season, and led a Murderer's Row on San Benito's front line.
But they're gone now, and Askanas had to figure out a way to compete, sans 873 kills, sans the bulk of last season's attack.
So instead of keeping with the same strategy but with different players, Askanas took a defensive approach. He wasn't changing the strategy so much - like he was introducing the A-11 or something - but he was going in the opposite direction.
The kills would come, obviously, but the team's new focus was digs and defense.
"That's what we're based on," Askanas said. "We're trying to wear a team out with defense ..."
At first, it was greeted with a mixed bag, which had to be expected since the team was changing.
But two weeks ago, a revelation. During a drill in practice, he noticed how well his usual liberos hit. Their arm motion was strong, controlled, and best yet, they could play stellar defense.
So after adopting the opposite strategy this season - by focusing almost solely on defense - Askanas took it one step further and moved his liberos to the outside.
Shayna Nakata and Sam Klauer, who've always played libero, are now the outside hitters, while Sara Yamasaki is at libero. It's completely unconventional, but for a team that has a defensive mindset, why not try and keep as many defensive specialists on the floor as possible?
On Thursday, I witnessed the Lady 'Balers for the first time this season. They beat North Salinas in three games (25-21, 25-23, 25-17), and delivered a strong performance against Viking outside hitters Julia Ashen and Gina Abbott, who had a combined 31 kills.
Although it wasn't necessarily a dominant performance, it was a win - a win that netted a combined 91 digs for San Benito in just three games. Defensive, much?
"We have a short offense," Nakata said, "but obviously, it works."
It's rather interesting to watch, in fact. Klauer and Nakata don't necessarily look like your average outside hitters, but they can dig almost any ball out, and can, surprisingly, slam their fair share of kills past opposing blockers.
Courtney Scarlett played some outside last Thursday as well, and get this, she can dig, too. Scarlett had six kills and 11 digs.
After Everett Alvarez tonight, which is already 0-2 in the TCAL this season, San Benito welcomes Salinas (2-0 TCAL) on Thursday at Mattson Gym - a match that should gauge just how defensive the Lady 'Balers are.
No one said changing strategies was going to be easy, but San Benito is certainly, in every sense of the word, defending their TCAL title this season.
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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