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Mitchell's Tandem Setters On Same Page

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By EDDIE DANIELS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 11, 2007

TRINITY - The job description is a bit cluttered.

Effectively set the ball, block the opposing shot, feed your hitters, feed the other setter, pass the ball, finish your own attack, communicate, have court presence, be a leader.

Mitchell volleyball coach Keith Paulk has found the right people for the job. Veronica Harring and Lea Weber are the Mustang tandem setters and they've managed to share the 30-foot by 30-foot space effectively.

'I think I have the two best setters around. I am so blessed to have those two,' Paulk said. 'They are both highly experienced, both of them have played since their freshman year and they're both quick as all get out and they both jump high. They're just athletes.'

It's the athletic ability of both players, which helps them fill the requirements of their job.

A glimpse at the Mitchell stat sheet proves how well the duo has distributed the ball. Ariela Salvati has 38 kills and is followed by Amy Petrella (35), Sarah Bash (28) and Erin Jakus (15).

'They're willing to set everyone else and not just each other,' Paulk said. 'That's why all my people take good swings at the ball. If we lose, it will be because some other aspect of the game failed, not because we can't hit. These girls can swing if they get the set.'

The two have gotten in on the action with Weber tallying 40 kills and Harring collecting 23.

Harring, a junior with 65 assists, is accustomed to having an additional setter on the court because it's the same offense her club team, the Sandspurs, use. What she has had to warm up to is the fact she now has increased hitting duties.

'This is basically the first year I've been called a 'hitter.' I'm still getting used to it,' Harring said, emitting a nervous laugh. 'I guess from playing so long, I'm just used to seeing what's supposed to happen and trying to execute it. I think I'm doing all right.'

One of the best aspects of having the two setters is the level of communication. There are two sets of eyes and two philosophies attacking one defense.

'If the pass is there, we work on it. We work off what we can do,' said Weber, a senior with 81 assists. 'We communicate between each other. I'll tell her if I see something or she'll tell me when she sees something. If she finds a hole, she'll tell me.

'It's extremely helpful especially because V, she's been playing a lot longer than I have and she knows a lot about the game and she fills me in and helps me out.'

In doing their job effectively, there's no doubt the hitters have to be satisfied.

'It's good. Our hitters are really confident,' Harring said. 'They know they can go up there and swing and they know when they need to tone it down and just get the ball over and keep it in. they trust us, we'll get them the ball and we know they're there.'

And there's another piece of work the duo must perform - on court psychologists. If things don't go right for their hitters, they make sure those issues are worked out before the game ends.

'If they mis-hit, we try to feed them again, so they don't get down on themselves,' said Weber, who got a good laugh at the suggestion of being a psychologist. 'It's pretty important. It's something you learn. If they miss one or it's one you don't think they did so well on, feed them again and let them get one and build their confidence up. It builds trust with them.'

It all comes with the job.

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