Mesa in top form

Steve Virgen

The Costa Mesa High girls volleyball team is much different from the

squad that won the Golden West League title last year. But when the

Mustangs faced crosstown rival Estancia they definitely had the stuff

of champions Friday at Costa Mesa.

Mesa used strong serving to battle past the feisty Eagles in three

games, 25-11, 25-17, 25-21, maintaining its viable chances for the

CIF playoffs with a 7-3 record in league. With two games remaining,

Costa Mesa is in third in the Golden West.

The Mustangs graduated five seniors from last year’s championship

team, which included Golden West League MVP Sharon Day. Also,

sophomore Jasmin Day and senior Stacy Krikorian opted to compete in

cross country, leaving only juniors Jenny Sparks and Jackie Havens as

key returners for this season.

Havens stepped up against the Eagles, as did junior Lindsey

Navarrette, who delivered a match-high 11 kills and three service

aces. Havens added 10 kills and four aces, all coming in the second

game. Sparks, the team’s setter, amassed 27 assists.

“They are our rivals and we just tried to play with intensity and

show them that this is our house,” said Navarrette, a junior varsity

player last year. “We have a totally new starting lineup this season,

so it’s been hard to adjust. But I think we have been doing good.”

Navarrette recorded three kills, an ace and a block to lead Mesa

to the victory in the first game. However, Estancia (5-8, 4-7) came

back in the second game and stayed with the Mustangs. The Eagles led,

15-13, but Havens led the rally for Mesa.

Sophomore Tracy Bjelland, who had three kills and an ace,

collected a kill to give service back to Costa Mesa. Then Havens took

over, serving for nine straight points, including four aces. For four

other points, Estancia could not return Havens’ serve because of

errors.

“Jackie has always been one of our strongest players,” Costa Mesa

Coach Allison Salladin said. “On the court she’s very dependable and

she played well tonight.”

Estancia, which was led by Hillary Larsen and her seven kills,

opened the third game with a 12-3 run, its biggest lead of the match.

Larsen produced two aces in the spurt. Junior setter Hilary Ockey

contributed 11 assists.

However, Costa Mesa answered with a 12-3 run of its own, as

Navarrette had two aces.

The Mustangs later broke away from an 18-18 tie to win, 25-21.

Fittingly, Havens ended the match on a kill off an assist from

Sparks.

“That was one of our better matches of the season,” said Jim

Huffman, Estancia’s first-year coach. “It was great for us to have

Joy Prebyl back, our only senior. She injured her foot in the first

match of the season, but she was able to play tonight.”