Reaching for the stars

GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL /// Moorpark Musketeers
Musketeers, with new head coach, chase big goals



DEPTH—Moorpark middle blocker Victoria Plummer tries to block a spike by Westlake’s Olivia Dinardo. Photos by MICHAEL COONS/Acorn Newspapers

DEPTH—Moorpark middle blocker Victoria Plummer tries to block a spike by Westlake’s Olivia Dinardo. Photos by MICHAEL COONS/Acorn Newspapers

Chris Dehner entered his first season as head coach of Moorpark High girls’ volleyball team with lofty goals.

Other than winning Coastal Canyon League and CIF-Southern Section Division 4 titles, Dehner aims to lead the Musketeers to a CIF State playoff berth.

This early in the season, all those goals are still attainable.

A smaller but equally important goal was to go the whole season without having to force his players to run as a form of punishment.

That one didn’t happen.

“They left the gym a mess after our first home game, so they had to pay the price,” Dehner said.

That’s how it’s going to be with this no-nonsense coach, who uses his volleyball experience and wisdom to mold the Musketeers into champions.

“We’ve been working really hard,” said senior captain Mia Medina, a setter and second-year captain.

The Musketeers (5-1 overall at press time) have learned a lot since the skipper was hired in May.

FUNKY COLD MEDINA—Moorpark High girls’ volleyball captain Mia Medina sets the ball against Westlake on Aug. 23 on the road.

FUNKY COLD MEDINA—Moorpark High girls’ volleyball captain Mia Medina sets the ball against Westlake on Aug. 23 on the road.

Dehner prepped at Westlake under Ventura County legend Doug Magorien before graduating in 2004. As a high school senior, Dehner and the Warriors earned a CIF-Southern Section Division 1 finals berth.

Dehner went on to play at San Diego State before going abroad to suit up for the University of Brighton as a grad student in England. He also briefly played in Italy before turning to coaching; he served as an assistant at the University of Sussex in Brighton for two seasons.

Upon returning to the U.S., contacts at his college alma mater told him about the Moorpark gig.

The coach said he was impressed by the Musketeers’ talent upon arrival.

The stacked roster is no surprise to the Moorpark faithful following the team’s progress the past two seasons. The Musketeers went from Coastal Canyon League cellar dwellers two years ago to finishing second last fall behind undefeated and defending league champion Oak Park.

After trotting out young lineups the past two years, Moorpark, ranked No. 5 in the latest Division 4 poll, returns an experienced core of seniors who are adamant that this is the Musketeers’ year.

FUN HOUSE—Moorpark players, from left, Halle Perkins, Eleanna Laba and Sydney Irwin cheer for a point against Westlake on Aug. 23.

FUN HOUSE—Moorpark players, from left, Halle Perkins, Eleanna Laba and Sydney Irwin cheer for a point against Westlake on Aug. 23.

“We’ve been playing together for so long,” said senior libero Eleanna Laba. “We’re all really close. It’s really easy to work well together.”

Tessa Tafuri is a fourth-year varsity libero. Halle Perkins, an outside hitter; Kari Esseff, a middle blocker; and Alex Quiles, an opposite hitter, are third-year varsity veterans.

Esseff, who wants to play indoor volleyball in college, is considering Cal State Monterey Bay, Cal State San Marcos, Pepperdine and Cal Lutheran.

Medina and Laba are also returners.

Medina, a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes who maintained a 4.1 GPA as a junior, aspires to become a physician’s assistant or physical therapist. She’s considering attending Cal Lutheran, Westmont College or the University of San Diego.

 

“It’s my last season, so I’m just looking to have fun with my friends and my team,” Medina said.

Laba, a 3.8 GPA student, said she hopes to play volleyball at San Diego State, UC San Diego, UC Irvine, Pepperdine or Texas Tech after high school. She wants to study medicine to get into the surgical field.

Samantha Irwin, a setter and captain; Sydney Irwin, an outside hitter and Samantha’s twin; and middle blocker Samara Critney are first-year varsity seniors.

Sydney Irwin wants to play beach volleyball at UC Davis, Long Beach State, Oregon, Concordia or Vanguard.

Justine Jue, a libero; Victoria Plummer, a middle blocker who stars in the high jump for the track and field team; Delaney Milligan, an outside hitter; and Chziembi Tiongson, a libero, are junior newcomers to the varsity squad.

Valentina Garza and Mia Trejo are sophomore middle hitters.

“It’s been really fun getting to play on a team with all my friends,” Medina said.

Moorpark’s lone setback so far this season came against Marmonte League juggernaut Westlake.

The Musketeers open league at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 6 at home against Coastal Canyon newcomer Agoura. Moorpark takes on Oak Park Sept. 17 at home and Oct. 4 on the road.

A league title is the next goal on Dehner’s list, but the Musketeers can’t help but look ahead to the postseason.

Last year’s second-round exit isn’t good enough.

“Hopefully we can push past that,” Laba said. “We’re really hopeful.”