"She's just gotten more and more comfortable with her role as a leader," McKeehan explained. "She knew her role and she was able to step up when we needed her to."

Clyde, also a softball and basketball player, is mulling over scholarship offers from Southern Utah University as well as Idaho State.

Aubrey Lindgren,
South Sevier

A three-year starter in three sports, no one would dispute Aubrey Lindgren's athletic ability. But as the middle hitter has gotten older, she's developed intelligence and leadership skills that this year helped the Rams to the championship match and a second-place finish.

"She's so quick," said coach Lori King. "Her reaction time is amazing, especially when she goes up to hit. But she is also a really smart player, too. She sees the court ... Over the years she's gotten much better at seeing the block and going around it."

"She is an awesome leader on the court," King said. "When she plays tough, everyone just follows her lead."

Lindgren went down with a sprained ankle in the fourth game of the championship match. And while her teammates continued to play well, their concern for her changed their focus. During her time on the bench, Richfield came back and won that fourth game. She went back in the match for the fifth game, but struggled to compete at the same level she usually did.

"They're a team in the truest sense," said King. When Lindgren's injury took her out of her game, it affected all of them, she said.

Lindgren finished the season with 423 kills, 108 blocks and served 88 percent.

Despite her talent, Lindgren, who has committed to play for Snow College, is still very humble.

"She's very coachable," said King. "She's a fun player and when she's on her game, she's just amazing."

Allie Eastman,
Rich

Allie Eastman's quiet ways can be deceiving.

"She's not quiet on the court at all," said Rebel head coach Cindy Stuart with a laugh. "She's very, very competitive. Even in practice she'll be very vocal."

Eastman is a gifted athlete who could play any position with ease. She hit on the outside, blocked in the middle and was a solid passer and server.

"She's very athletic and wonderful to coach," said Stuart. "She wants to bring it everyday. She expects a lot from herself and her teammates. She will let them know if she wants them to step it up ... She's just one of those great kids."

The honor student led the Rebels to a 1A title with 423 kills. She also earned 184 points with 48 aces. She will graduate with an associate degree thanks to concurrent enrollment and is also one of the state's best basketball players.

While setter Cami Barthlome was the squad's vocal leader, Eastman led by example.

"She was a team leader in the way she played," said Stuart. "She performs. She gets the job done. She puts it down, scores, whatever we need."

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E-mail: adonaldson@desnews.com