Girls water polo preview: Costa Mesa will be learning

Steve Virgen

The upcoming season for the Costa Mesa High girls water polo team

figures to be a learning experience for the Mustangs and their first-year

coach Kathie LeCours.

LeCours, who returns to her alma mater (Class of ‘92), is also in her

first year with the sport. She had to search the Internet to find books

about water polo.

She told her players from the beginning that she is learning on the

job. Her honesty may create the communication needed on the team.

“I wanted something different,” she said of her reason for taking the

job. But, she said she mainly took on girls water polo because she wanted

the challenge.

Perhaps her biggest challenge will be handling 26 players who make the

varsity team. She has fellow alum Chris Avitia, the boys water polo

coach, to help her out. But, most of the aid will come from the players.

Senior Erin Beyes returns with aspirations to play at a university

next year.

“She has a lot of dedication for the sport,” LeCours said.

The Mustangs also have Ashley Wright and Dana Steenhard, a lefthander,

returning.

Another challenge for LeCours will be to balance the talent and

character on the Mustangs team. Mesa features just five seniors, Beyes,

Frances Assal, Denee Heinrichs and Jody and Wendy Martinovich.

Two weeks ago, LeCours knew next to nothing about her team, but after

practices and a scrimmage game against Tustin, many of her questions were

answered. She formed the varsity squad and realized her goal for the

season: that balancing act.

“There are girls who are playing for the university level,” she said.

“And there are girls who are playing for fun. I’m trying to balance

that.”

LeCours also said she will depend on the strength of her juniors for

success this season. Sarah Douglas, Kathryn Axton, Ashley Wright, Candice

Carpenter, Dana Steenhard, Megan Devey and Shirley Peng will bring that

strength.

The season begins on Tuesday when Dana Hills invades at 3:15 p.m.

COSTA MESA GIRLS WATER POLO

Frances Assal, Sr.

Erin Bayes, Sr.

Denee Heinrichs, Sr.

Jody Martinovich, Sr.

Wendy Martinovich, Sr.

Sarah Douglas, Jr.

Kathryn Axton, Jr.

Ashley Wright, Jr.

Candice Carpenter, Jr.

Dana Steenhard, Jr.

Megan Devey, Jr.

Shirley Peng, Jr.

Bridgette Harmon, Jr.

Jessica Bunnell, So.

Allison Gravis, So.

Celinda Sandoval, So.

Katie Thorsness, So.

Veronica Lepper, So.

Anna Kile, Fr.

Gena Paulhus, Fr.

Ashley Hamilton, Fr.

Zineta Pepic, Fr.

Jessica Steenhard, Fr.

Joanna Arlington, Fr.

Quyen Nguyen, Fr.

Tiffany Ness, Fr.

Coach Katie LeCours