San Benito-Notre Dame volleyball

 It might have been -- make that it was -- the match of the year in the regular season last fall.
 It was epic.
 And in the end, it was Notre Dame spoiling San Benito's bid for perfection in the Gabilan Division with a five-set win in front of a sold out gym.
 Two sets were decided by the minimum two points, one by four. The last set needed extra points to end the drama.
 The two volleyball powers will get reacquainted tonight on the same Notre Dame gym floor - both undefeated in league with a combined overall record of 26-4.
 The defending champion Balers have won 16 of their last 17 league matches with the one setback coming from Notre Dame, who went on to capture the CCS Division V title.
 While graduation stripped the core of the Spirits attack at the net, San Benito brought back two of the best in league in Marisa Villegas and Lauren Sabbatini.
 The pair have already combined for over 200 kills in the teams first 16 matches, feeding off sets from Kiely Hoskins.
 For the third straight year, Julia Scattini has switched positions. The teams setter last fall, the senior is on the outside this year, compiling 133 kills in the teams first 14 matches.
 Defense has been the Spirits strength, anchored by Mikeila Banda, whose 162 digs have enabled new setter Spencer Hagenbuch to feed the ball to the likes of Keona Stopper and Adeline Laughton.
 The Spirits have played just one five-set match this fall while San Benito has swept nine of its last 10 opponents.