Coach pushes Costa Mesa

COSTA MESA — If Casey Petersen could change one thing at Costa Mesa High, athletes would focus on one sport.

The second-year girls’ volleyball coach spent the first year teaching the basics. From how to play to the rules, Petersen said all of it was new to most of her players.

The players who play multiple sports now get it. Credit goes to the players’ growing interest in volleyball and the five who joined club teams during the offseason. Petersen is counting on the Mustangs to improve on last year’s record and get back to the playoffs this year.

“The improvement is really noticeable. It’s gotten to the point where I don’t have to teach, I’m actually coaching,” she said. “Instead of breaking down every drill, they already know the skill.”

Now it’s time to see how much the Mustangs have developed. The season starts with a home match against Laguna Hills on Sept. 13.

Much of the average play in the past Petersen blames on the program’s instability at the top. To Petersen, the Mustangs have had as many coaching changes as there are almost players on one side of the court.

When the former standout returned to her alma mater, Petersen became Costa Mesa’s fifth coach in the previous six years.

“Before that I was on varsity three years and we always had a different coach every season,” said Petersen, a 2001 graduate, who went on to help Orange Coast College finish runner-up at the women’s volleyball state finals. “I came back to make sure there wouldn’t be as much turnover.”

Even Petersen, 24, admits she won’t stick around at Costa Mesa for the rest of her career. She’s going to apply to dental school soon, but she said she’ll be with the program for at least two more years.

Before Petersen fixes teeth, she wants to turn Costa Mesa into a force in the Orange Coast League. She knows it will be difficult, with perennial CIF Southern Section power Laguna Beach in the league.

“It’s Laguna Beach and then everyone else fighting for second,” she said, referring to cross-town rival Estancia and Calvary Chapel. “We need to win more against those teams to get into the playoffs.”

The young Mustangs went 2-8 in league, finishing third in front of Calvary, but behind Estancia. Petersen remembers the three matches against Costa Mesa’s nemesis. The Mustangs never won a game.

Four out of the seven sophomores that started last year are back. Leading the way are Whitney Crosby and Kim Bjelland, an outside hitter and opposite that will give the modified 6-2 offense flexibility. The move to the new strategy Petersen said has something to do with setter Renee Nutter not returning.

“We would’ve gone to a 5-1, but Bjelland is going to set half the time, so when she gets to the front row, she’ll be a hitter and I’ll bring a sub in to set in Breanna Dorame,” Petersen said. “It’s working out really well. We have 12 players and they’re getting used to all of this.”