2004 All-state volleyball: Fantastic finishers

They come from different places, play different roles on their respective teams and have different personalities. But the one thing these teenage athletes have in common is the ability to lead their teammates to success. Four of the 2004 Deseret Morning News prep volleyball MVPs led their teams to titles, while the fifth led her squad to a third-place finish.

Some are quiet, while others are a little more boisterous. But they all inspired their teammates by example.

Leadership is hard work, but it is something that comes naturally to all of this year's MVPs.

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5A MVP: Airial Salvo, Viewmont

As Viking coach Lori Salvo prepared her lineup for a junior varsity match last season, her two-time MVP daughter approached her about playing in the contest.

"Please," she begged. "I'll play anything. How about back row?"

Her mother just laughed and shook her head. She's gotten used to this. Every time the team practices, Airial Salvo is always pleading for one more drill, one more game.

"I know how much she loves the game," Lori Salvo said. "She loves it as much as I loved it. She's just always wanting more."

Airial Salvo's desire to play volleyball has made her one of the best players to ever come out of Utah. The honor student earned a scholarship to the University of Utah in volleyball, the same place her mother played both basketball and volleyball.

Last year she led her team to 32 straight wins. This season Viewmont lost two matches in the season's opening tournament but didn't lose another match. In the state tournament, Viewmont didn't lose a game until the championship match against Brighton.

Airial Salvo was key in earning that title. She is difficult to stop offensively and tough defensively. Her jump serve is consistent and scorching. She finished the season with 526 kills, 69 aces, 156 digs, 47 solo blocks and 40 block assists.

"She just has something from within," Lori Salvo said. "She sees the court so well, and she picks apart other teams' defenses. . . . She's the full package."

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4A MVP: Ashley Hamilton, Lone Peak

This junior's success is evidence that nice girls do finish first.

"She's one of the most grounded people I know," Lone Peak coach Deanna Meyer said. "She'll be even better next year because she knows she can learn even more. She never thinks she's at the top of her game."