Volleyball teams are always looking for setters. That didn't prove true this year for the St. Francis De Sales seventh-grade squad. This team had so many setters they could have formed a few more teams.

This team had a special season. Included was a 14-game winning streak and a conference championship. Now back to this team of setters.

"Setters are usually rare at such a young age,'' said St. Francis coach Carly Young. "But this team had about four or five girls with great hand control so I ran the team a little unconventionally and opted not to have one or two designated setters but rather almost everyone be a setter."

Whether this was unorthodox of not, this team was rarely threatened as no more than five matches went to three sets.

So who were these girls anyway? Let's start with Allie Wayland. Young coached her older sister, Jessica, who plays at Carmel.

"I expect great things from her,'' Young said. "She has the discipline and skill to play college ball if she chooses that path."

Young was also impressed with Elizabeth Tworek's season.

"She is a hard hitter and definitively one of the "smartest" players on the court,'' she said. "Knowing when to hit, set or pass the ball over are skills that usually take players years to acquire and she possesses them now."

Allie Wayland was known as the team's strongest hitter. She could also serve well.  Young watched as Wayland served 11 straight points and earned five aces. Young is hoping Maegan O'Toole finds a way to become a libero in the future.  She once witnessed O'Toole sliding on a scoring table to get a ball.

This team had  a pair of Claires on it. Claire Kosik was known for her ability to handle shanked passes. Claire Petrus was known for her wicked serves. She could also set.

"She is a strong hitter and has a natural setting ability,'' Young said.

Both Anna McAndrew and Taylor Spula were known for their skills in the back row.  Caroline Jokerst was known for her strong under hand serve.

"She's the only underhand server I have ever coached to get in double digits in aces with an underhand serve,'' Young said.

Another under hand server was Kristen Aretos.

"She had a great positive attitude and a "never give up" approach to every game,'' Young said.

Maggie Warkenthein's good hands made her a threat setting the ball. Morgan Margiotta also served underhand but also excelled on defense. Briana Green also possessed good hands for setting and hitting.

And last but not least is leading hitter Ina Noll. Young noted this player was not shy about hitting the ball and it paid off.

"I intend to coach them as 8th graders,'' Young said.  "Hopefully with a season of playing club under their belts, we can defend the title."