Good for the team

Hanna Johnson was wondering if her competitive personality comes off as too intense with her teammates.

So the Coeur d’Alene High senior volleyball standout asked assistant coach Tia Vesser for her opinion.

Vesser essentially told Johnson that an athlete who strives to be the best can’t ever be too intense.

The matter was taken up with her team.

“We had a talk as a team and decided that we wouldn’t get offended if, in the heat of the moment, someone was yelling at someone to do something,” Vikings senior setter Natalie Stewart said. “We all know that Hanna is intense, but it helps us out a lot. That’s her personality. I don’t think anybody gets offended by it.”

Johnson’s intensity doesn’t stop with her teammates. If a finger is pointed, it’s usually first pointed at herself.

“I’m hard on myself as much as I am on other teammates,” Johnson said. “I just want to be a good teammate.”

That will never be in question. When it comes to the good of Viking volleyball, Johnson stands at the head of the class.

Going into the postseason, Johnson, a 5-foot-10 outside hitter, led the team in kills (229) and digs (289).

A three-year letterman and two-year starter, Johnson has made much improvement since her sophomore year. The fact she leads in digs is evidence of how much she’s improved her defense.

“We had her pretty much in the front row at first,” CdA coach Carly Curtis said. “She’s made such a difference in the back row the last couple of years. She’s definitely the best ball-control player on our team by far. The stuff she gets up is amazing.”

It hasn’t happened by accident. Johnson made the Spokane Spash U-17 team last December and the experience culminated with a trip to the Junior Olympic national tournament in Dallas in late June.

“It really has helped her jump to the next level,” Curtis said.

Johnson worked especially on her defense. Several of her CdA teammates also worked on defense during the off-season.

“We were mainly an offensive team last year,” Johnson said. “This year our defense has picked it up.”

CdA (26-3 overall) tied for the Inland Empire League championship with Sandpoint. The Viks finished the regular season by taking second at the Crossover Classic, losing to Greater Spokane League power Lewis and Clark.

They figured they should have finished in the top three at state last year. But they fell short. The disappointment has driven them this season.

“This year we want to win the whole thing,” Johnson said.

She said the Viks have tweaked their attitude this season.

“Last year we were too cocky going to state,” Johnson said. “This year we’re confident, but not cocky. We’ve got to keep it at that level.”

Johnson wants to go on and play in college. But another CdA coach, assistant track coach Linda Lanker, wants Johnson to keep the door open to doing the hurdles in college.

Johnson broke an 18-year-old school record in the 300-meter intermediate hurdles last year, finishing second at state in 46.04 seconds.

She also helped the 400-relay team break a 17-year-old school record.

“I admire so much about her,” Lanker said of Johnson. “The first year I had her (sophomore) I had to do a little convincing that she could be a 300 hurdler. The minute she bought into it, it paid off.”

Lanker believes Johnson can trim another second off her school record. If she does, scholarships would be in the offing.

“The low 45s is scholarship material,” Lanker said. “(College) coaches have told me if she takes another second off, they’ll offer a scholarship. She’s capable of taking another second off. The biggest issue we’ve had with her is her steps and her timing. Usually that’s something that takes years to get down. It was amazing to me that she took second at state last year and we didn’t have her timing down. If we get her timing down she’ll give a state title a run.”

Johnson gives all the credit for her success in the hurdles to Lanker.

“She’s everything. She’s the greatest coach I’ve ever had, and she’s like a second mom,” Johnson said.

Johnson likes the individual nature of track, but appreciates the team aspect of volleyball.

“I was indecisive about which sport I wanted to do in college until we were on the bus going to Moscow for a volleyball match (this fall),” Johnson said. “I thought my future might be track. But I just love volleyball more.”

The state tournament is Friday and next Saturday at Hillcrest High School in Idaho Falls.

“If we play like we know how, we can win,” Johnson said. “We’ve got a lot of weapons. We’re a lot more well-rounded this year.”

Whatever sport Johnson ends up pursuing in college, Lanker has no doubt she will be successful.

“Whatever she does she will give it her all,” Lanker said.