Girls volleyball player of the year

Name: Julie Plotts 

School: Sahuaro 

Year in school: Senior 

Sport: Girls volleyball 

From the archives: When Julie Plotts began her high school volleyball career at Sahuaro four years ago, she had two major ambitions: win a state championship and earn a Player of the Year award.

Despite winning the region title every year Plotts played at Sahuaro, the Cougars never advanced past the quarterfinals of the Class 4A state tournament.

But there still was a shot at being named the city's best player.

"After we lost (to Scottsdale Chaparral in the 4A quarterfinals) I didn't think I was even a nominee," she said.

As co-captain of the Cougars, Plotts, the 1999 Arizona Daily Star Southern Arizona Girls Volleyball Most Valuable Player, helped lead her team to a 27-5 record and the school's ninth consecutive region title. In her first year at a new position, setter, she finished second in the city in assists.

From the time she started playing volleyball, Plotts had been a powerful outside hitter, the position at which she received first-team all-city honors last season. But when Sahuaro coach Sandy Novak felt there was a void at the setter position, she did not hesitate to move Plotts from her natural position.

"Julie is such a good all-around athlete, I knew she could play any position, any time," Novak said.

"Being a setter is definitely more fun than being a hitter," Plotts said. "I felt like a quarterback on the court. I like it when the game is in my hands."

Since most college outside hitters are 6 feet tall or taller, Plotts, at 5-8, most likely will continue to play setter at the next level. Several Division II and III colleges have shown interest.

"Wherever she decides to go, that team will benefit from Julie's talent," Novak said. "She is such a good player and role model. It's very sad to see her go." — Tyler Hansen, 1999