The daughter of retired Central Coast Section commissioner, Nancy Lazenby Blaser, and former North Salinas High basketball coach, Steve Blaser, Britta Blaser said she never strayed too far from high school athletics during her upbringing.
“We were always in a gym somewhere,” Blaser said. “That was basically my childhood.”
Now, it will be part of her adulthood.
Blaser was recently named the new head coach of the Monte Vista Christian girls volleyball program, the Watsonville-based private school announced.
It will be a homecoming for Blaser, who as a player was twice named league M.V.P. and led the Mustangs to a league title during her senior season (2011-12). She also started at center for the basketball team.
“I’m excited — there’s no doubt about that,” Blaser said. “It kind of all came together at the last minute, but I’m happy to be coming back.”
Blaser, who will also be a middle school history teacher at M.V.C., spent last fall as an assistant coach at her alma mater, Biola University, in Southern California. In the four years prior, Blaser starred on the court for the Eagles. She was an all-conference selection and an NAIA All-American during her senior collegiate season.
“I love that school,” Blaser said. “It’s one of the best places on earth.”
Blaser takes over for her former coach Kiley Woods, who stepped down from her post because of a move from the area. Woods pieced together a 131-75 record in her seven seasons at the helm and led the Mustangs to a CCS title and a CIF NorCal final in 2016.
Last season, M.V.C. finished 15-15 overall and advanced to the CCS D-IV quarterfinals. The Mustangs placed third in the now-defunct Monterey Bay League Gabilan division behind San Benito High and Salinas High. The challenge will be greater this fall, as they will compete in the Pacific Coast Athletic League’s Gabilan division, which will feature six CCS semifinalists and a section champion.
M.V.C. will be without seniors Kate Watts, Abbey Lynch and Mattea Romo, but does return 11 other players from last year’s squad, including all-league outside hitter Cassidy Schurman and 6-foot-4 middle blocker Allie Tillery.
Blaser said she hopes to continue the success of recent years, but also wants her teams to be successful off the court.
“For me, it’s not only about success inside the gym but also outside of it,” Blaser said.
