Costa Mesa reloads

Joseph Boo

COSTA MESA - Costa Mesa High’s girls water polo team only lost four

seniors to graduation. Unfortunately, one of them was goalie Stephanie

Lombardo, who was a first-team All-Pacific Coast League member last year.

Coupled with the loss of second-team All-PCL Amy Devey, it seems as if

the Mustangs would be in for a rocky transition.

But a group of determined newcomers have come along determined to pick up

the slack for Costa Mesa. With a solid core of returnees, the Mustangs

should have a relatively smooth transition.

“We’re developing a lot,” Costa Mesa Coach Eric Berg said. “The girls are

working real hard. Their attitude has been positive. They’re capable of

being very good.”

Embodying the mix of players for Costa Mesa are the Petersen sisters.

Older sister and senior Katy Petersen is returning to the two-meter spot

for the Mustangs. She is the team’s primary offensive option and one of

the team leaders.

“She showed up with a desire to do very well,” berg said. “She’s very

intense. She has become very focused, and is working very hard.”

Her sister, junior Casey Petersen, is new to the water polo team.

Nevertheless, she has the difficult task of replacing Lombardo in goal.

Her athleticism, Petersen is one of the key players on the volleyball

team, has made her learning curve short.

“She is a very dominant factor,” Berg said. “She is growing very, very

fast.”

The other key returnee for Costa Mesa is senior Shayna Kine, who is the

Mustangs primary perimeter threat.

Senior Lauren Mayo, who is a transfer from Estancia will also help out in

the lineup and is adapting well, according to Berg. Junior Dana Steenhard

moved up from the JV team and grabbed a spot in the starting lineup.

Juniors Frances Assal, Megan Yenny, Denee Heimrichs, and sophomore Ashley

Wright should also contribute.

The defense has to adjust by the absence of senior Jan Grubisich, who is

out with a dislocated shoulder.

“We miss her leadership,” Berg said, “and she definitely provides a

defensive presence. But there’s more responsibilities for the younger

girls to pick up the slack.”

The defense has relied on Kline and juniors Jody Martinovich and Erin

Bayes. The two juniors have been two of the most impressive newcomers on

the team. Bayes is the team’s best defender in the two-meter spot.

Despite the loss of Grubisich, the Mustangs has played solid defense in

the beginning of the year.

“We’re a very good defensive team,” Berg said. “We have defensive pride.

We try to create more opportunities with sound fundamental defense, and

we use that as a confidence builder.”

RosterG Casey Petersen Jr.

3 Frances Assal Jr.

4 Katy Petersen Sr.

5 Megan Yenny Jr.

7 Erin Bayes Jr.

8 Jody Martinovich Jr.

9 Ashley Wright So.

10 Jan Grubisich Sr.

11 Shayna Kline Sr.

12 Denee Heimrichs Jr.

14 Lauren Mayo Sr.

15 Dana Steenhard Jr.