Mustangs positioned for increasing success

The Costa Mesa High girls’ volleyball program is now on its fifth coach in the last six years.

At least the new coach happens to be a familiar face.

First-year coach Casey Peterson returns to guide the Mustangs this season. Peterson was a Newport-Mesa Dream Team selection for Costa Mesa as a middle blocker in 2000, and helped lead Orange Coast College to the state championship match in 2001.

Peterson assisted departed coach Chris Komer and was also the junior varsity coach last season, and many of those now-sophomores will be on this year’s Mustang varsity squad.

Eight of the 12 Costa Mesa varsity players are sophomores.

“In the next three years, it’s going to get better and better and better for this program,” Peterson said. “This year, I just want to be competitive.”

Seniors Danielle Morton and Caitlin Duffy are key returners from last year’s varsity team, which went 12-14 and lost in the wild-card round of the CIF Southern Section Division III-A playoffs.

Morton, a middle blocker, was first-team All-Golden West League last season as a junior.

“She’s a team leader and has a good attitude,” Peterson said. “We’re going to count on her.”

Duffy, a team captain, returns as libero.

“Her main sport is soccer, but if she wanted to, she could play volleyball at the college level,” Peterson said. “We’re trying to talk her into it.”

Peterson said the starting setter spot will either be occupied by Kim Jackson or Renee Nutter, a pair of sophomores. Jackson also returns from last season.

“We’re excited to have two setters fighting it out for the spot,” Peterson said. “That’s always good.”

Returning sophomore outside hitter Whitney Crosby will replace graduate Tracy Bjelland, a Newport-Mesa Dream Team selection who led the team in kills last year and was twice first-team All-Golden West League.

“[Crosby] is athletic and starting to really develop her volleyball skills,” Peterson said. “We have a really strong group of sophomores overall.”

Senior Alaina Abalos returns as outside hitter, and Kelly Doerr is another senior outside hitter.

Five other sophomores will provide depth to the team, including right-side hitter Kimberly Bjelland, Tracy’s younger sister.

Other sophomores in the mix are outside hitter and defensive specialist Gina Decker, middle blocker Shelby Herbel, outside hitter Dana Gentling and right-side hitter Dina Pepic.

Peterson said she expects Costa Mesa to be competitive in the new Orange Coast League, which also contains Estancia, Laguna Beach and Calvary Chapel.

Godinez, a fifth school that will also be in the league, is not yet open.

“It’s a strong volleyball league,” Peterson said. “Most of the schools have strong volleyball programs, but our girls are also strong volleyball players. Even though it’ll be tough, it’ll be good, as far as volleyball goes. I just hope that we improve for Danielle and Caitlin’s last year.”

Costa Mesa opens its season today with a nonleague match against visiting Cypress at 4:30 p.m.

THE MUSTANGS

1 Gina Decker So.

2 Kimberly Bjelland So.

3 Shelby Herbel So.

4 Kim Jackson So.

5 Renee Nutter So.

6 Caitlin Duffy Sr.

7 Dina Pepic So.

8 Whitney Crosby So.

9 Alaina Abalos Sr.

10 Dana Gentling So.

11 Kelly Doerr Sr.

12 Danielle Morton Sr.

Coach: Casey Peterson

(first year)