Ever since its beginning, the hallmark of the Auburn Mountainview volleyball program has been consistency.

For the past nine years, starting with the family-first philosophy of program founder Momi Bowles, and continuing through two successful seasons with Nicole Claudon at the helm, the Lions have found themselves in the state Class 3A tournament.

Telia Peterson, who takes over the Lions from Claudon, says this year will be no different.

“That was the first thing I researched about the team,” Peterson said. “I knew that I would have to keep those expectations going, and that was something I wanted, that challenge. That’s something I want to accomplish. And I want them to compete at a higher level once they get to state.”

Originally from College Station, Texas, Peterson played her prep career for A&M Consolidated High School then headed north to Idaho to play for Boise State University on a volleyball scholarship.

After graduating in 2006 with a teaching degree, Peterson returned to Texas, this time to Houston, where she was an assistant coach at Wharton Junior College and a head coach and teacher at a local middle school.

“(Coaching) was definitely always something I wanted to do,” Peterson said. “I knew as soon as I was done with my playing career, I was going to teach in high school and coach. That’s always what I wanted to do.”

Although content in Texas, Peterson said her boyfriend, Michael McDonald – a strength and conditioning coach at Boise State for head coach Chris Petersen – was offered the opportunity to continue to work for Petersen at the University of Washington.

So, to be with her boyfriend, Peterson said, she began looking for work in the Evergreen State.

“One of my former teammates (Cameron Flunder) at Boise State played for coach Chris Carr (Auburn Mountainview’s athletic director) at Kentlake,” Peterson said. “That’s how that all worked out. She reached out to him. He needed a volleyball coach, and I was in the process of moving out in this direction. So that all worked out great.”

Although Peterson didn’t officially complete the move to Washington until mid-June, she said, she had already flown up to meet the team.

“And then all summer they’ve been attending camps and working really hard to get ready for this season,” Peterson said.

Although, with the addition of Auburn Riverside, the No. 1 ranked team in the state, the South Puget Sound League 3A just got a little tougher, Peterson said, she is confident her coaching style will bring out the very best in her players.

“I do teach. That is my focus, making sure they understand the systems that I want to run,” Peterson said. “We’re definitely a family system, that’s the most important part. I want all the girls to be treated like this is their family. I know with my coaching style I’m happy all the time. I want to keep them motivated, and I feel if I keep my behavior consistent, that will help them. Sometimes you may see me joking with them because I want to keep that positive atmosphere going for them.”

Peterson, who teaches special education at Auburn Mountainview, said she is confident can guide the Lions out of the SPSL 3A into districts, and beyond.

“I definitely feel confident we can achieve going to state again,” she said. “They work really hard and they’re young, and that’s the exciting part. I’ll have the same kids again.”