From Deseret News archives:

Get set: Volleyball position is as key as point guard in basketball or football's quarterback

Published: Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2005 12:41 p.m. MDT
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JENNA TOONE, AMERICAN FORK: The Cavemen have a setter who can not only put the ball in a good place for her teammates, but she can also pound it down herself. Toone has a unique ability to change positions and go from setter on one point to opposite hitter on the next. She's a double danger to the team on the other side of the net.

"We have a sweet setter," said American Fork coach Chad Murray, who realizes his team's subpar passing makes her job even more difficult.

Mulitala agreed, saying, "They have a great setter and some big hitters, and if their passing would improve, they'd have everything."

JENNA JOHNSON, SPANISH FORK: This sophomore setter has exactly what every young quarterback needs: all the confidence in the world from her coach.

"We have a great setter. She gets to everything and always puts up a playable ball," said Spanish Fork coach Amber Newell. "She's a quiet leader. She's absolutely fantastic."

Newell also added that her setter is one of the most athletic players on the team, and she's happy to be able to count on her for the next two years.

Region 7

Story continues below
NAOMI PAIGE FLINDERS, PROVO: Yet another sophomore is stepping to the mat for one of the top teams in the state. Even though the Bulldogs lost their star setter, Cassie King, from last year's fourth-place finishers at state, the team hasn't lost a beat because Flinders is doing such a good job in her first year as the team's point guard.

"She's doing very well. She's made some sophomore mistakes, but overall she's doing a great job, stepping up," said Provo coach Wendy Bills.

Flinders is also proving her mettle from the back row in the serving position as she's one of the team's most solid servers. This young team is not only the team to beat in Region 7, but they've also got a jump on a state title this season.

KYLA BURKE, LEHI: "She's the best setter in the region," said Lehi coach Jamie Ingersoll of her junior setter. "She gets to balls and always puts the ball in a good spot. She can also be an offensive threat when she's around the net."

Burke is the center of a team that should receive "most improved" honors from last season to this season. They're still young, with only one senior, and yet they have a great opportunity to jump right into state competition for the first time since 1997.

"Our hitters have to thank Kyla because she gets to a lot of tough balls and puts them in the right spots."

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Image
Dan Lund, for the Deseret Morning News

American Fork's Jenna Toone flips the ball back over the net during a game at Provo. She can play several positions well.

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