2008 All-State Volleyball Team: MVPs share common trait

To view photos of the 2008 All-State Volleyball Team, please click on the story graphic at right.

The most talented players are not always a team's leaders. But when players can combine athletic skill with the ability to lead others, it makes for a powerful combination. Those who provide leadership, in life or in athletics, have different styles, different approaches, different tactics to inspiring and motivating their teammates.

This year's Deseret News Volleyball Most Valuable Players have both leadership skills and superior athletic ability and despite playing different positions and different roles for their respective teams, they all share one trait — the ability to help elevate the play of those around them.

Fiercely competitive, they are all also very caring individuals, who are concerned not just with winning but with the development and success of their teammates. They led most of the time by example, especially when it came time to work hard.

Heather Hannemann,
Lone Peak

Heather Hannemann may be a walking, talking example of what happens when a gifted athlete works as hard as she can.

"She's a workhorse," said Knights head coach Deanna Meyer. "That's why she's always improving. She leads by example, by effort, whether it's skill and technical drills or conditioning drills, she always expects to do her best."

One trait that served Hannemann and her teammates well as they earned their second straight 5A title was her love of competition.

"Heather is just a true competitor," Meyer said. "When she was on the court she was competing as hard as she could. Whether it was as a defensive specialist, like last year, or as the setter this year. Her whole focus, her personality, is just to give it her best."

Hannemann's ability to push herself helped her live up to the expectations that come with playing for a perennial volleyball power.

"She stepped into the starting (setter) role and did a phenomenal job," said Meyer. And it wasn't just that Hannemann is a gifted setter. It's that she brings her best game everyday.

"She's just always consistent, consistent, consistent," Meyer said. "I can't think of when she had a bad game ... She's just kind of a beacon. She has a high level of expectations for herself and for her teammates."

Ciara Parker,
Snow Canyon

Ciara Parker grew up the child of volleyball coaches and thus her greatest desire became playing the game that was such a huge part of her life.

"She's been dying to play varsity forever," said her mom and Warriors head coach Alaina Parker. "She's a great leader on the floor. She seems to be one of those people who thrive in tough situations."