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After finishing third in the Pacific Coast Athletic League’s Gabilan Division with a 9-5 league record and a 20-12 overall record last year, Hollister High School girl’s volleyball program is setting up for a new season.
Lisa Becerra is heading into her fifth season as varsity head coach. With more than 20 years of coaching experience, she previously played volleyball at Aptos High School and Georgia State University.
“I feel called to coach,” Becerra said. “I really love the game. I love helping kids find their passion for competition and for the game of volleyball.”
Becerra said the team’s offseason summer program consists of a six-week conditioning, weightlifting and volleyball training program that is optional and open to anyone who wants to try out for volleyball in early August.
“We design a summer program that is built to put them physically through some tests, but also mentally,” Becerra said. “The Haybaler volleyball culture is known for its grit. That’s what we want to be known for.”
Practice begins at 6 a.m. and runs until 8 a.m. Monday through Friday during the six-week summer session.
“There are a lot of high schools that don’t utilize the summer,” she said. “Maybe it’s just volleyball training or a couple of days a week. We make a full commitment Monday through Friday, with early mornings and the intention of establishing that routine and challenging ourselves.”
In addition to finishing third in its league last year, the Balers were seeded No. 8 and hosted a first-round Central Coast Section Division I playoff game against the No. 9 seeded Mountain View High School, emerging victorious for its first CCS win since 2021.
The Balers closed their season in the second round of the playoffs where they fell to the No. 1 seeded Menlo-Atherton High School.
“Last season was the farthest Hollister has gone under my tenure,” Becerra said. “We’ve gotten a little bit better every year, which is my goal for the program, and to get 1% better every practice.”
Reilly Haertel, a middle blocker and team captain last season, is an incoming senior and a four-year varsity player.
“Last season was probably one of the best seasons we’ve had since we’ve been here,” Haertel said. “Last year, the team worked really well together. We were all really good friends, we all hung out outside of school, and that is one reason we meshed so well. We are going to take some of that culture and try to repeat it.”
Haertel said she is excited for the upcoming season and is looking forward to getting back on the court.
“Our energy is great. Everyone is super excited to be here,” she said. “Everyone has new opportunities because we have our group coming back, but we also have a lot of incoming freshmen and sophomores.”
Incoming senior setter Trixie Rizon said she too is looking forward to the upcoming season.
“I’m excited to play with my older teammates and with the newer ones,” Ricon said. “Everyone is excited to be here and determined. It’s going to be a very fun year.”
The Balers play their home opener on Sept. 1 against North Monterey County High School at Mattson Gym.
BenitoLink thanks our underwriter, Hollister Rotary, for helping expand the sports coverage around San Benito County. Rotary is a nonprofit organization that conducts humanitarian projects, encourages high ethical standards, and works toward world understanding. All editorial decisions are made by BenitoLink.
The BenitoLink Internship Program is a paid, skill-building program that prepares local youth for a professional career. This program is supported by Monterey Peninsula Foundation AT&T Golf Tour and Taylor Farms.
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