San Benito-Salinas volleyball

 Until they are dethroned, the Balers are still the reigning champions - for the last three years in the Gabilan Division.
 And while Salinas posted a five-set win in Hollister to remain undefeated last month, it hasn't beaten its rivals at home in three years.
 The two perennial league powers will meet tonight in Salinas in what will feel like a championship match.
 Since that five-set thriller, the Cowboys have swept their last six league opponents while San Benito has rattled off six straight wins - two of which have gone a full five sets.
 An argument can be made that the Balers have been battled tested for this rematch while Salinas has skated right through the Gabilan.
 Or Salinas has been just that much more dominate behind setter Jennifer Foley, who has produced nearly 600 assists this season.
 It's been more of a committee approach at the net this year for the Cowboys, as Christina Chagnon, Savanna Maker, Ashleigh Souza and Kylee More all have over 100 kills.
 San Benito has a pair of powerful hitters at the net in Nicole Miller and Elizabeth Fleming while Alyssa Ito is a returning defensive standout.
 The 6-foot-4 Maker and Chagnon have been disrupted forces at the net defensively for Salinas while Julie Foley and CSUMB bound Kaila Uota have been defensive demons in the back row.