Gwinnett Daily Post

By any measure, Wesleyan volleyball star Anne Marie Armstrong should have plenty of incentive heading into her senior season.

Having played a major role in the last three of the Wolves' four consecutive Class AA/A state championships, the 6-foot-3 middle hitter certainly wants to go out a winner.

However, as Armstrong and her teammates begin their quest for a fifth straight title - which would tie Wesleyan with Walton and Woodward Academy for the state's longest streak - her desire to leave on a high note goes deeper.

For starters, Armstrong is also on the verge of accomplishing a goal she set for herself as a freshman: Finishing her career with 10 state championships in her three sports. Seven of her fingers are already adorned with title rings. Call it "One for the Thumb" - times two.

Armstrong has played on two state girls basketball championship teams and won two Class AA state high jump titles in track and field.

"Anne Marie is first and foremost a competitor," Wesleyan volleyball coach Ted Russell said. "She's out to win, no matter what. She just can't stand to lose.

"She's been pretty vocal about how she wants to win state one more time. The entire senior class has made that quite clear. They only know that at the end of the season, they win state and everyone goes home happy. But that's not normal."

Armstrong and her teammates should also get perhaps their toughest challenge to date in defense of their title streak with 2006 Class AAA champion Blessed Trinity and Westminster - a six-time state champion - moving down to Class AA/A.

"It will probably make it a lot tougher," Armstrong said about Wesleyan's two new serious challengers. "But I'm glad AA and A are still combined. I'm excited about that."

Russell has seen that excitement in Armstrong's eyes during practices, and believes the bigger challenge should bring out the best in her.

"That adds some excitement and pressure to it," Russell said. "Blessed Trinity and Westminster moving down really stacks the classification, and when you have a competitor like Anne Marie, it makes them want to step up even more."

As much as the increased challenge in meeting her championship goal means to Armstrong, there is another reason a successful senior season will mean so much to her.

This fall will mark her final season. She is giving up organized volleyball to accept a basketball scholarship at the University of Georgia.

It was a tough realization that she would logistically be able to play just one sport in college, and she doesn't want to leave any unfinished business in her final volleyball season.

"I knew I'd wind up missing either (volleyball or basketball)," Armstrong said. "But I decided I've played basketball longer, and it was harder to see myself not playing basketball than volleyball.

"I'll still miss (volleyball) a lot. I'll try to play pick-up games so that I don't stop playing completely."

Russell will also miss seeing Armstrong on the volleyball court, especially after building herself into one of the top players in Georgia.

That is something she's proven not only in posting 410 kills with a .320 hitting percentage, 205 digs, 118 aces and 42 blocks as a junior, but also by dominating the prestigious University of Florida team camp she and the rest of the Wolves attended this summer.

As sad as Russell will be after Armstrong is done playing this fall, he supports her decision.

"She's by far the best athlete I've ever coached," Russell said. "She's only played one year of club volleyball, but when we went down to the Florida camp, there were 58 teams there, and she was clearly the best player in the gym.

"Obviously, I'm biased because I'd like to see her stay (with volleyball), but I also know she needs to follow here heart. And I think her heart is with basketball."

So, it makes it that much more important to Armstrong that she makes her last season something special.

"I just want to have fun with my teammates and be a leader so we can reach our goals as a team," Armstrong said. "That's why I like playing team sports. It's more rewarding when you win, and you can't just be a good individual in volleyball. You have to win as a team."

Who: Anne Marie Armstrong

School: Wesleyan

Class: Senior

Position: Middle Hitter/Blocker

Noteworthy:

Had 410 kills with a .320 attack percentage,118 aces, 205 digs and 42 blocks last year

Named first-team All-County

Committed to play basketball at Georgia

Favorite athlete: Dwyane Wade

Favorite mustic artist: Josh Turner

Favorite food: Steak

Who: Megan Carnell

School: North Gwinnett

Class: Senior

Position: Setter

Noteworthy:

Had 206 kills, with 115 aces and 435 assists last year

Named first-team All-County last year

Verbally committed to Wake Forest

Also recruited by Boston College, LSU, Colorado, South Carolina, Clemson, Michigan State, Ohio State, others

Favorite athlete: Karch Kiraly

Favorite movie: "Love and Basketball"

Favorite music artist: John Mayer

Favorite food: Macaroni and cheese

Who: Haley Collins

School: Wesleyan

Class: Junior

Position: Outside Hitter

Noteworthy:

Had 139 kills with a .200 attack percentage, 87 aces and 212 digs last season

Named first-team All-County last season

Favorite athlete: Rafael Nadal

Favorite movie: "The Notebook"

Favorite food: Cookie dough ice cream

Who: Audrey Hipple

School: Parkview

Class: Senior

Position: Outside Hitter

Noteworthy:

Had 253 kills and 47 aces last year

Named first-team All-County last season

Currently being recruited by Charlotte, UT-Chattanooga, Radford and George Mason

Favorite athlete: Jeff Francoeur

Favorite movie: "Get Smart"

Favorite food: Pizza

Who: Amanda Komisarow

School: GAC

Class: Jr.

Position: Outside Hitter

Noteworthy:

Had a school-record 401 kills last year

Named first-team All-County last season

Favorite athlete: Kerri Walsh

Favorite movie: "Legally Blonde"

Favorite music artist: Rascal Flatts

Favorite food: Pasta

Who: Maggie Smith

School: Wesleyan

Class: Sophomore

Position: Setter

Noteworthy:

Finished with 909 assists, 138 digs and 35 aces last year

Listed among the top freshmen in the country last season by prepvolleyball.com

Favorite athletes: Rafael Nadal, Tim Tebow, Al Horford

Favorite movies: "Moulin Rouge" or anything "Harry Potter"

Favorite food: Pepperoni pizza from Mellow Mushroom