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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Coeur d’Alene, Stewart set to have big volleyball season

Mike Saunders Correspondent

Junior Natalie Stewart isn’t just the setter for the Coeur d’Alene High volleyball team.

She’s also the trendsetter.

Stewart was instrumental in the Vikings’ regional championship last season, and although CdA was a disappointing two-and-through at state, the trend for 2007 is for a much deeper postseason run.

At least, that is, if you listen to Stewart.

“We have a team made up mostly of juniors now – a lot of girls my age,” said Stewart. “So we all feel really comfortable together, and it’s made a big difference.

“We’ve all played together for such a long time, that we’re more comfortable – I know that I’m more comfortable.”

As is the case with most of life’s worthwhile endeavors, comfort and confidence go hand in hand.

“I think we have the possibility to win state – if we just keep working hard like we are now,” Stewart said. “We’re feeling pretty good at this point.”

Stumbling at state a year ago taught the Vikings a valuable chemistry lesson.

“Last year we were doing really well coming off of regionals,” said Stewart. “We suffered at state, I think, because of a lack of team unity.

“We had a really hard time with that last year, and this year I think we’ve figured out that we have to have each other’s backs all the time – on every point of every game.”

Stewart said she and her teammates – thanks in large part to the guidance of coach Carly Curtis – know they have to temper their expectations.

“I think our biggest problem might be getting overconfident,” she said. “We have to make sure that, in every game, we come prepared.

“I think all of the teams in our league have the potential to give us problems if we aren’t prepared.”

Superstitions play a role.

“We’re a superstitious team,” Stewart said. “We don’t say ‘Keep it up,’ because we don’t want to jinx ourselves.

“So we just compliment each other on the last play and say, ‘Keep it going.’ “

Superstition aside, if the Vikings are to attain their goals this season, Stewart said she’s all right with not being the one doing much of the digging, blocking or killing.

Just the (trend) setting.

“It’s a funny position,” she said. “You’re not offense or defense – just kind of the middle man.”