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GRANDVIEW -- Last year, Grandview libero Gabby Sauve was the shortest player in the state volleyball program, listed at 4-foot-11.
This year, Sauve is proud to proclaim that she grew -- one inch, to 5-0 -- and can now sky above the net.
Her coach, John LaFever, is skeptical, though.
"Maybe if she got up on her toes," he said. "But I think Gabby was pretty liberal with that."
What there's no denying is that Sauve's stature within the Greyhounds team grew this year.
The junior was one of the few players with any significant playing experience back from last year's state qualifier, and she relished the chance to take on a leadership role on a team that starts no seniors.
"I felt I was ready," she said. "But as a freshman, I looked up to Kealey Johnston. Then last year, it was Sydney Mottice. I felt I could be the next to take on that role. They showed me some good examples."
Sauve took up volleyball in seventh grade, recruited to the sport by Greyhounds assistant Michelle Swearingen.
Sauve knew from the start that she was fated to play defense because of her height.
"I like being underestimated," she said. "My height is a big reason why. Other teams don't see me as a threat, but I like to dig up all the hitters, serve tough."
That's borne out by the numbers. Sauve leads the team in digs (313), service points (178) and aces (54) in earning second-team All-CWAC honors.
"She has a real good attitude about playing libero," LaFever said. "She's a fairly tough player. She relies a lot on positioning, and she's a real good server."
That doesn't mean Sauve doesn't have dreams of what it would be like if she were a foot taller and could sky above the net.
"I've thought that a lot recently," she said. "I think it would be a lot of fun."
With Sauve and first-team all-leaguers Adriana Ramos, a junior, and freshman Payton Parrish leading the way, Grandview clawed past Ellensburg in the CWAC district semifinals in five sets to clinch its 10th consecutive state appearance.
The Greyhounds' reward is a first-round matchup with Northwest District champion Archbishop Murphy at 9 a.m. today at Toyota Center.
The Wildcats are one of the tournament favorites along with Selah -- the CWAC champion, which is eager to regain its state crown after Tumwater ended its three-year run last year.
The Vikings have beaten Grandview twice this year, including a sweep in last weekend's district final, but that hasn't discouraged Sauve.
"I think our chances are real good," she said. "Even though we're a young team, a few of us have been there, and the rest have watched and know what the atmosphere is like. I'm confident we'll do well."
