LANCASTER - Dave Gutierrez spends most of his day teaching history at Lancaster High.

But these days, his afternoons and early evenings are devoted to trying to help the school's volleyball team make some history of its own.

Lancaster has never won a Golden League title in volleyball - girls or boys - but is suddenly on course to do so after opening the season with upset victories over Quartz Hill and Highland.

Gutierrez, a first-year coach, coached the junior varsity last season after a seven-season stint at College of the Canyons as the girls' volleyball coach and eight seasons as the boys' team's coach.

Lancaster (2-0 Golden League going into Tuesday's match against Knight) defeated defending league champion Quartz Hill 25-18, 18-25, 25-15, 25-20 on Sept. 19, and defeated Highland 25-23, 25-18, 14-25, 25-13 two days later.

Lancaster's success is especially surprising considering it can't match the height of teams such as Highland and Quartz Hill, and has just two club players.

"That kind of means we're the underdogs, so to be able to come out and have some success early shows that we have some girls who are willing to learn," Gutierrez said. "I think we've surprised a few people."

Lancaster's top players include outside hitter/setters Roxy Neely and Seferina Starks, both of whom play club.

Neely, a senior, had six service aces in the Quartz Hill match and 27 kills against Highland.

Starks, a sophomore, is a dynamic playmaker who's brought energy to the team.

Junior opposite Nicole Castro, a second-year varsity player, gives the team leadership.

Lancaster finished tied for fourth in league last season and has never placed second. The Eagles have made the playoffs just once.

Knight moves: After going 1-11 in league in its varsity debut, Knight has shown progress despite an 0-2 league start.

First-year coach Danny Henderson noted that his team has been outscored by just five points in league losses to Palmdale and Littlerock.

The Hawks (5-4-3, 0-2) won the Hesperia tournament consolation title on Saturday.

"We're starting to play well," Henderson said. "Hopefully we can turn it around and get some wins."