Under first-year head coach Dave Beza, the Mission Beach High School (MBHS) girls’ volleyball team is hoping to get over the hump and move into the elite class in Division III. “We want to show everyone that we can win this,” said senior captain Jen Davis. “This is our last year and we’re going to give it our all, no matter what.” In recent history, the Bucs have traditionally finished outside of the top three teams at CIF. With six seniors on the squad — and a new head coach who has instilled confidence and intensity — the loftier goal to finish higher does not seem out of the question. Through the early part of the season MBHS played well, getting off to a 5-2 start. One of the weaknesses though, has been a tendency to start off slow and spot the opponent points before settling down. On the flip side, the Bucs have showed the ability to come back in games after being down early. “Sometimes we have a slow start but we always finish what we started and play to the last point,” said senior co-captain Whitney Winchester. “If we could start out faster it would be good, but as long as we bring that hard finish I think that’s what counts in winning games.” Winchester has been playing varsity the longest on the team and she said her experience helps her vocalize and demonstrate her leadership. Another key player on the squad is senior captain Melissa Brandenberg. She is the most powerful and explosive player MBHS has at the net — or at the service line, for that matter. Her athleticism and strength keeps opponents worried every time she goes up to strike the ball. “I know that when I’m out there swinging my hardest it’s harder for them to get the return,” Brandenberg said. Brandenberg can usually be seen with a big smile on her face and she says her positive frame of mind helps her stay focused on the court and ultimately rubs off on her teammates. The CIF championships are still months away, and Beza, who has served on the MBHS coaching staff for five years, is trying to stress the importance of teamwork, playing fast and being aggressive. “Mostly what I’ve always appreciated from this program is everyone has a good attitude,” Beza said. “We try to impart character lessons to them with volleyball as our mechanism. We try to run some fast, aggressive plays. We try to make sure we bring a lot of tenacity in our defense.” Boasting the new coach who has stepped up the team’s intensity, perhaps a breakthrough in the standings is in store for Bucs in 2011. “I love how intense our practices are,” said Davis. “It makes everything more game-like, so we’re prepared for the game. He (Beza) always makes sure everyone has a spot to fill and everyone is giving it their all.”