NEWMAN - Tianah Vitorino knows about the Westside rivalry well.

The 2021 Gustine High School graduate is the new Orestimba High School volleyball head coach. Vitorino takes over for Carlee Felber, who had been in charge of the program in recent years.

“This will be my first head coaching position,” Vitorino said. “I’m excited for the opportunity to lead the girls volleyball program.”

Vitorino was an assistant coach for last spring’s Orestimba boys volleyball team.

Vitorino has been playing the sport since middle school. She played volleyball at Gustine High School all four years and was on varsity during that time.

“I was a setter throughout my entire volleyball career, from sixth grade through my senior year of high school,” Vitorino said.

Being a 2021 graduate also meant Vitorino played volleyball in the spring of that year, due to the pandemic. All high school fall, winter and spring sports were played from January to June.

“Playing in 2021 was definitely different,” Vitorino said. At first, it was an adjustment having to wear masks and making sure we were doing everything we could to keep our team safe. After so much uncertainty during the pandemic,

“I was just grateful that we were able to get back on the court and play the sport we loved. As a senior, I was especially thankful that I still had the opportunity to have a Senior Night and finish my high school volleyball career with my teammates. It wasn’t the senior season we originally imagined, but I was grateful we got to have a season at all.”

Vitorino is currently attending Stanislaus State, finishing work on her bachelor’s degree in liberal studies. She plans to become a substitute teacher and ultimately land a full-time teaching position.

Orestimba began its season on Tuesday, when it played at East Union of Manteca in a CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Foundation match.

The Warriors will host their annual tournament on Saturday, Aug. 22.

Orestimba will play five more non-league matches before starting TVL action on Tuesday, Sept. 8 when it will host the Ripon Christian High squad.

Mike Bush is a multimedia journalist who was born and raised in the Stanislaus and Merced County areas. Follow him on X/Twitter @MikeBMultimedia and Instagram @mikebushmedia.