SALINAS
– Live Oak coach John Telfer will be able to retire with a win
after all.
SALINAS – Live Oak coach John Telfer will be able to retire with a win after all.
The North All-Star team with players from Live Oak, Gilroy and San Benito defeated the South squad 25-22, 25-17, 27-25 Tuesday night in front of a large crowd at Palma High School.
“The guys started out a little rusty just like in practice,” said Telfer, who is retiring as Live Oak head volleyball coach. “It was a great defensive game with some big blocks and kills. By the end, they all were making big plays.”
The match used the rally scoring system that will be used in next year’s games. Games will be played to 25, but each rally counts for a point. Balls that touch the net on serves and go over are now fair game.
Live Oak was represented by Matt McElroy, Gavin Kolodge, Sampson Chan, Erik Telfer and Jeremy Bouchette. Not able to participate were Drew Pearson, who will be playing basketball for University of the Pacific, and Terry Sullivan, who broke his nose.
With Sullivan out, Brannon Wynn of Hollister was the only true middle on the team, Telfer said. Travis Fowles also represented Hollister. Many of the Gilroy players were unable to attend. Matt Largo, Tucker Baksa and Jay Mendeceles represented Gilroy.
It was the first time that McElroy and Mendeceles, the Tri-County Athletic League co-MVPs, have played on the same team together.
“It was fun watching those two get better and better and come up with some big time kills velocity wise,” Telfer said. “Matt and Jay exchanged big hits after big hits.”
Bouchette, who was asked to play in the middle, showed his versatility and had a good outing, Telfer said. He had a hand in the last three points of the third game to help seal the win.
Kolodge moved all around the court and had several good digs. Chan took advantaged of the high Palma ceiling with his serves and then dropped serves right over the net.
Telfer had a stretch of five serves he got to fall.
“He has a heavy ball that has punch to it, and a lot of people misjudge it.” coach Telfer said. “He normally tries to go to weak passer, but there was no weak player in the game.”
Note: A proposition is in the works to have the league champion host the game next year. The South girls team defeated the North All-Star team 2-1.
