Costa Mesa moving up for a new challenge

The Costa Mesa High girls’ water polo team has been to the CIF Southern Section playoffs for the last four years.

They’ll be aiming for five this year, but moving up from Division VI to Division II means new challenges for the Mustangs, who went 15-15 last year and advanced to the second round of the Division VI playoffs.

“The girls are facing tougher competition in Division II,” Costa Mesa assistant Coach Justin Taylor said. “We’re just hoping that we can make the transition as soon as possible, to playing in the higher division.”

Costa Mesa lost its leading scorer in Annie Le, an All-CIF Division VI performer and Daily Pilot Dream Team member, to graduation. Le played at Orange Coast College this season.

But helping lead the way this season will be four returning starters, including seniors Brittany Mucha and Abbie Dyvig and juniors Talhia Nuñez and Patricia Marty.

Nuñez came up big for the Mustangs (2-5) on Monday, leading Mesa to a 6-5 sudden-death overtime win over visiting El Modena. She scored two minutes into the sudden-death overtime on a six-on-five. Nuñez, who had three goals, also scored with 2:30 remaining in regulation, which eventually sent the game into overtime.

Costa Mesa sophomore Ashley Rendon drew four ejections, including her final one that set up Nuñez’s game-winner. Senior Shyra Crandall, the Mustangs’ primary two-meter defender, led with 10 steals.

Mustangs Coach Tim Postiff said he liked the way his girls played as a team and responded from a 21-0 loss they suffered to Dana Hills on Tuesday.

“Let’s just say we have been practicing a bit,” Postiff quipped. “We are really young. We picked a few things to work on and hammered them home. It’s worked out so far … They all contributed well on defense. We had some balanced scoring which is nice.”

Mucha, the Mustangs’ goalie, recorded 11 saves on Monday.

Mucha has impressed Costa Mesa alumnus Taylor, who was the Mustang boys’ goalie on their 1995 section champion team.

“She’s very solid in the goal,” said Taylor, assisting Tim Postiff in his fifth season as girls’ water polo coach. “Basically, all of our seniors will provide a lot of leadership and a lot of strong play. They’ll definitely have a strong impact on the team.”

Dyvig returns as a driver, while Nuñez is a two-meter player and Marty is a two-meter defender.

Other varsity returners include sophomores Liz Simpson and Andrea Beyaoju, who are both drivers.

Rounding out the squad are juniors Emily Pulaski and Kassandra Afuang and sophomore Brianna Williams.

“There’s a lot of talent on this team and a lot of potential,” Taylor said. “It’s definitely a strong team. Everyone just has to find their niche in the offense.”

The Mustangs are 1-5 in the early season, but Taylor said many of the games have been close. Nuñez has emerged as a leading scorer, he said.

Costa Mesa’s goal is to be ready for Orange Coast League play, which includes Laguna Beach, Estancia and Sage Hill.

The Breakers were ranked No. 4 in CIF Division II in a preseason poll, and only two teams from the league will make the Division II playoffs.

“Laguna’s definitely the top dog in our league,” Taylor said. “Our ticket will be how good we do against Estancia and Sage.”