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." And no situation is tougher than coming in as a freshman, expecting to play libero, and starting as the setter for a team coached by one of your parents. "I think she felt like she had something to prove," said Alaina Parker, who originally thought her daughter would be playing libero for the team. "She wanted to make sure everyone knew she'd earned it." Alaina Parker said as a coach she was never concerned about whether or not her 14-year-old daughter could handle the pressure that comes with running the Warrior offense. "She's very confident in her skills," Alaina said. "She doesn't get rattled. She's a good, strong presence on the court." And as for her older teammates, the coach said they accepted her as the floor general because most of them had played club volleyball with her for many years. "It was nothing new for them," Alaina Parker said. And then, of course, there is the look she gives her teammates when they are not quite playing up to her expectations. "We laugh about that," the coach said. "She did try to give me the look once and I sent her to practice with the JV. We came to an understanding that in the gym, I'm coach, not mom." Parker helped the Warriors to a third consecutive state title with 869 assists, 110 kills, 326 digs and 113 aces. Megan Clyde,
Hurricane Megan Clyde is so nice her coaches actually discussed how they might convince her to be a little meaner — at least on the court. "She's the nicest person you've ever met," said Tigers head coach Daniel McKeehan. While they couldn't quite convince the soft-spoken three-sport athlete to be mean, when her team needed her most, she found a way to be more aggressive at the net. Tall and athletic, she is not only effective at setting up her teammates for kills but slamming down a few herself. "She went from one or two kills a game to five and continued that all the way through the tournament," McKeehan said. "She's a very quiet leader. She just goes out and plays hard. She works hard and has a great attitude. She's diving for balls, into the stands, under the scorers table, and she sets that tone the minute she walks in the gym. Her teammates feel bad if they don't match that." Clyde averaged 30 assists per match in leading the Tigers to a 3A state title. She's started at setter since the middle of her freshman year and over time has developed into an effective leader, mostly because of her incredible work ethic. "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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