After it delivered a strong yet disappointing three-game loss to Menlo-Atherton last week in the Central Coast Section Division I playoffs, the San Benito Lady Balers were supplied with some better news when the Tri-County Athletic League announced its year-end awards.
Four Lady Balers earned all-league consideration this season, including senior middle blocker Emily Tonascia, who was San Benito's lone representative on the first team.
Sam Klauer, Alisha Cornick and Mari Vallejo were also given all-league consideration.
But while it was Tonascia who compiled a team-leading 245 kills this season for San Benito, it was her 91 blocks that perhaps turned the most heads; Tonascia recorded .8 blocks per set this season, and had 60 more blocks than her nearest Lady Baler teammate.
Joining Tonascia on the 11-member first team included North Salinas junior outside hitter Julia Ashen; Gilroy senior outside hitter Melissa Avila; Salinas senior middle blocker Lacee Ventura, junior setter Jordan Cotton, senior outside hitter Tori Bozzo and senior outside hitter Sarah Reams; and Notre Dame senior opposite Hayley Tamagni, senior libero Caitlyn Pura, senior middle blocker Shanae Gasperson and senior setter Annie Powers.
Powers, who helped lead the Spirits to an 11-1 record in the TCAL this season and a share of the league title with Salinas, was named the league's Most Valuable Player.
Meanwhile, San Benito senior libero Sam Klauer and senior setter Alisha Cornick earned second team honors in the TCAL this season.
Klauer, who was honorable mention last year in the TCAL, delivered a team-leading 707 digs and 43 service aces for San Benito this season, while Cornick dished out 712 assists to lead the Lady Balers.
Furthermore, Cornick contributed 296 digs, 18 blocks and 32 service aces.
Klauer and Cornick were two of nine selections on the second team, which included Gilroy senior middle blocker Loryn Ferriera; Salinas senior opposite Janelle Waters and junior opposite Ellie Larronde; North Salinas sophomore libero MacKenzie Nelson and senior opposite Becky Kemper; Alvarez senior outside hitter Rachel Heavin; Alisal senior outside hitter Nalli Gomez; and Notre Dame junior middle blocker Mariel Busch and senior defensive specialist Mary Katherine Brazil.
Junior defensive specialist Mari Vallejo, who had 385 digs and 14 service aces for San Benito, was named to the "Pursuing Victory with Honor" team.
The Lady Balers advanced to the Division I playoffs before falling to Menlo-Atherton in straight sets last week. It was the sixth year in a row the Lady Balers finished in the semifinal round or better.
San Benito completed its season with a 20-18 overall record, and 6-6 in the TCAL.
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