BACK AGAIN CANYON SOPHOMORE MAYS SET TO START.Byline: Heather Gripp Staff Writer CANYON COUNTRY - Janalee Mays doesn't waste any time pointing out what she thinks was the most important result of that play at the plate. Others remember the play as the one in which Mays, an all-star softball softball, variant of baseball played with a larger ball on a smaller field. Invented (1888) in Chicago as an indoor game, it was at various times called indoor baseball, mush ball, playground ball, kitten ball, and, because it was also played by women, ladies' catcher, suffered a broken thumb that prevented her from setting for the volleyball volleyball, outdoor or indoor ball and net game played on a level court. An upright net, 3 ft (or 1 m) high, the top of which stands 8 ft (2.43 m) from the ground for men, 7 ft 4 1/8 in (2. team as a freshman at Canyon High. Mays, now a sophomore at Canyon, makes sure that's not the only thing remembered about the collision. ``I got her out,'' Mays said. ``That's what's important.'' Such a fearless, competitive nature and ability to see the positive even in discouraging situations made Mays the ideal candidate to take over as Canyon's starting setter setter: see sporting dog. setter Any of three breeds derived from a medieval hunting dog that would set (lie down) when it found birds so that it and the birds could be covered with a net. Setters have long hair on the ears, chest, legs, and tail. this year despite her youth and inexperience Inexperience See also Innocence, Naïveté. Bowes, Major Edward (1874–1946) originator and master of ceremonies of the Amateur Hour on radio. [Am. . ``I'm really confident,'' Canyon coach Dave Gutierrez said. ``She's been doing really well. She's such a fast learner.'' Gutierrez admits he would usually be reluctant to give a sophomore so much responsibility, especially on a team that returned few players but hopes to contend in the always-tough Foothill League. Making an exception for Mays wasn't a difficult decision. ``She would have played varsity as a freshman,'' Gutierrez said. ``She made varsity last year, but we put her back on JV because of the injury. We have other players who I'm sure could learn and would do OK who are juniors or seniors. But I honestly think Jana is the fastest learner and the best one to have out there. ...You would never know she's younger.'' Not only is Mays, 15, younger than most of her teammates, she has far less experience in the sport than many of them. Last season's junior varsity junior varsity n. Abbr. JV A high-school or college team that competes in interschool sports on the level below varsity. Noun 1. was the first team for which she played. He previous volleyball experience was limited to a fifth-grade clinic and watching her older cousin, Haley Mays, play for Canyon. ``I'm a fast learner,'' said Janalee, who has a difficult time deciding which sport is her favorite. ``I like sports, so it's easy to learn. It's fun.'' What wasn't fun were the weeks she spent on the sidelines On the sidelines An investor who decides not to invest due to market uncertainty. on the sidelines Of or relating to investors who, having assessed the market, have decided to avoid committing their funds. last season. Shortly after Mays was cleared to play, she injured in·jure tr.v. in·jured, in·jur·ing, in·jures 1. To cause physical harm to; hurt. 2. To cause damage to; impair. 3. her other thumb. Because of the thumb problems, Mays was not able to set even when she did play last season. Setter, however, is where she feels most comfortable. ``I like to lead things,'' said Mays, noting that is also why enjoys being a catcher. ``I like to make decisions. I don't think of it as pressure.'' Though she doesn't consider her job to be much pressure, she does realize the responsibility. Haley Mays, who now sets for College of the Canyons College of the Canyons is one of the fastest-growing community colleges in the state. According to the National Junior College Research Association, College of the Canyons consistently ranks in the top 50 community colleges in the nation. , made that clear to her cousin. ``Following in her footsteps is huge,'' Janalee said. ``She's who I look up to volleyball-wise.'' The Cowboys cowboys, in American history. 1 Tory marauders, adherents to the British cause in the American Revolution, who fought in the contested area of Westchester co., N.Y. would also consider the younger Mays as an ideal role model. ``She's a great athlete,'' Gutierrez said. ``But it's not just her talent. She's got a great work ethic work ethic n. A set of values based on the moral virtues of hard work and diligence. work ethic Noun a belief in the moral value of work . She works so hard. Some players have the talent, but they don't want to put in the extra work to really reach their full potential. She's really driven, the type that sets an example for the others. That's what you love to see, especially from someone in a position like setter.'' Heather Gripp, (818)713-3607 heather.gripp(at)dailynews.com MAYS FILE Name: Janalee Mays Team: Canyon High volleyball Position: Setter Year: Sophomore Quote: ``I expect so much of myself. It was tough to be sitting there and not be able to do anything. It was a frustrating frus·trate tr.v. frus·trat·ed, frus·trat·ing, frus·trates 1. a. To prevent from accomplishing a purpose or fulfilling a desire; thwart: season.''- Mays on being injured last season CAPTION(S): photo, box Photo: Canyon setter Janalee Mays, starting as a sophomore after an injury denied her a chance to start as a freshman, has offset her youth and inexperience with drive and leadership. Gene Blevins/Special to the Daily News Box: MAYS FILE (see text) |
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