Prep Volleyball: Champ Trailblazers have new look

When Cindy Armentrout steps out onto the volleyball court this fall, her surroundings will look quite a bit different than they did the last time her Durango club played.

For one thing, Armentrout won't be able to glance around and see all-conference teammates Blair Wilkes, Sarah Gubler, Shannon Chase and Jessica Connell on the floor with her.

Those four, who helped the Trailblazers to their first 4A state title last fall, have graduated. Wilkes (Long Beach State) and Gubler (William & Mary) are playing in college.

As if that wasn't enough of a change, Armentrout also will find herself with a new role this season -- that of starting setter.

Changing positions will be nothing new for the 5-8 senior. After starting her varsity career as a middle blocker, Armentrout slid over to play on the right side for her junior season.

But taking over for Gubler as the club's new setter is something else. Now, for the first time since her freshman year on the junior varsity squad, Armentrout will be the glue that holds the Trailblazers together.

"When you're a hitter, you only have one job and that's to hit the ball," she said. "When you're a setter, you have to be aware of everything going on on both sides of the net."

Still, when Durango coach Bob Kelly looked at his roster of returning players, he didn't hesitate to hand his setting duties to Armentrout.

"She's a tremendous athlete, and I feel she does a good job when she's in the center of the action," Kelly said. "It will also utilize her leadership abilities. So this is really the ideal position for her to be in."

The Trailblazers have been practicing for less than two weeks, but Armentrout said she's already feeling more comfortable in her new position. She attributes that to the knowledge she gained as a middle blocker and right-side hitter.

"As you change positions, you appreciate the other spots more," she said. "Now I know what they need from me because I've been in their positions."

Of course, Armentrout knows her new job would be a lot easier if she had hitters like Wilkes and Chase to set up. Instead, she'll be getting used to the team's roster of new players at the same time they adjust to their new setter.

"She'll have a great impact on the development of this team," Kelly said. "I think the transition will go well."

How well it goes could determine whether Durango, which has played for the state title the last two years, can challenge Green Valley, Silverado and Cimarron-Memorial for Southern Zone superiority this fall.

And their new leader, for one, has complete confidence.

"I think our girls will improve rapidly," Armentrout said. "I have a lot of faith in this group."

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