As she is set to start her seventh season as the head coach, Teresa Ortega has a strong core of returning players and has brought in a new group of freshmen and a new assistant coaching staff. Joining Ortega this season will be Gay Castaneda, along with Reggie Malauula (his second season) and Richard Silva. Last season, the Falcons rebounded from a slow start and ended up in second place in the South Coast Conference before being eliminated in the first round of the Southern California Regional Playoffs. It marked the second season in a row the team came in second place in conference play and fourth time in the last five years. Two seasons ago, the Falcons placed second in the South Coast Conference and defeated 12-time defending state champion Golden West in the first round of the playoffs. The team saw their season come to an end in the next round with a loss to Los Angeles Pierce.

                Even with the graduation of six players from last year, Ortega returns four players from last season, along with a red-shirt sophomore. They will help guide a group of freshmen that are looking to get the team deeper into the post-season. Ortega began her head coaching career with the Falcons by being named the South Coast Conference Coach of the Year in 2001 and has compiled a 76-39 (.661) record in her time with the team.

                Prior to taking over as the head coach, Ortega spent six seasons as the assistant coach under Jeanine Prindle (four years) and Nancy Welliver (two years). Prindle retired from coaching, while Welliver has moved on to be the head coach at Cypress College. Ortega has been involved with the Cerritos College volleyball program since 1989 when she led the Falcons to a Final Four appearance in the state championships. She also led the nation in kills among community college volleyball players that season. Ortega was also selected to the Asics All-America Team as well as to the All-State Tournament Team in 1989 and 1990.

                Ortega has extensive international volleyball experience and brings her very intense and competitive spirit to the program. She received her dental degree from National University of Mexico and earned her Master’s degree in Physical Education from Azusa Pacific University. Ortega is also a full-time classified employee in the HPER/Athletics Division.