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Kristen Sagers is an ideal student-athlete. The Centennial High School senior volleyball player excels both on and off the court.

On the court, the 5-foot-10-inch middle blocker is the only returning all-Sunset Region player. Sagers, who has only been playing volleyball since her freshman year, led the Bulldogs (3-1) in kills and ace serves per game last season and was second in blocks. Coach Marty Kulesza expects more of the same this season.

"She's just a great floor leader. She makes everything happen for us," Kulesza said. "She continues to be consistent, and she's kind of the key for us to doing well in league play."

Pat Hayden, the assistant principal at Centennial and an athletic administrator in town for the past 10 years, can't praise Sagers enough.

"She's one of the top three (female) athletes I've seen come out of the city in the last 10 years," he gushed. "She's definitely a Division I prospect on the academic side. (Her strengths are) her size, her quickness and her knowledge of the game. She just has a knack for the game. She's easygoing (off the court), but she's intense (on it)."

Despite the high praise, Sagers remains modest. The unassuming player is still surprised she was named all-Sunset Region last year.

"There were some awesome girls up there," she said. "It was an honor to be named with those girls, ones I've seen and looked up to."

Sagers may be more talented off the court. She currently holds a weighted 4.65 grade-point average and is ranked third in her class of 405 students. If Sagers earns straight As this year, she is slated to graduate as the school valedictorian.

"I'm hoping, but this year's (advanced placement) classes are tough," she said. "This year, more than ever, I'll have to work for it."

Sagers, who was student council vice president last year, is the student council secretary this year. She was also selected as one of only three girls from Centennial to represent the school at Girls State -- a student government program -- last summer in Reno.

"She is so enthusiastic and outgoing," Centennial student council advisor Kathy Snyder said. "She is involved in student council and athletics as well as church activities. She has a full plate and balances it well."

Sagers said she likes to stay involved.

"I just like to have my say of what's going on and put my two cents in," she said.

Sagers, who also runs track, made huge strides on the volleyball court her sophomore year when she played club volleyball. Now she hopes her team can do the same this season.

"Certain teams are always at a certain level and we want to get our name up there, too," Sagers said. "We want to be able to get up there with the top teams. We're getting better and we want to be up there by zone time."

Sagers, who is pondering a career in teaching, would like to attend Brigham Young University next year. For now, though, she is focused on leading her team to the state tournament.

"For me, being a senior, I just want to feel good about the season," she said.