Setter Spotlight: Sarah Luong, Benilde-St. Margaret
High academic, high character, and an all around game to complete the package, Sarah Luong has been a top setter in the metro area. However, this year she has been playing a little bit of everything from middle while she is in the front row to setter when she heads to the back. Following high school, Luong will head off to Emory University in Atlanta, a top tier academic institution while also being the defending NCAA Division 3 champions. Take a closer look at Luong beyond the volleyball lines in our “Setter Spotlight”.
How has volleyball become a family affair for you?
Coach Phong Luong is also the father to Sarah #10)Volleyball has been a huge part of my life since I was 5, when my dad started coaching at my elementary school. I wanted, more than anything, to be on an organized team, but I was too young. A couple years later, my older sister started playing. and we spent lots of time playing volleyball in our driveway. As I got older, my dad continued to coach at both school and club and my sister and I continued to play. At one point, my dad actually coached BSM’s Varsity team that my sister, who was a senior, and I (a freshman at the time) played on. My mom goes to almost every single one of my matches as well –– she’s our team photographer. It’s definitely a very unique relationship that my family has with volleyball; our dinner conversations frequently revolve around volleyball!
How has your game evolved since your Freshman year of high school?
The biggest way in which my game has evolved since freshman year is my mental game. I now understand the game better and the strategies that go into a win. In the beginning of high school, I would make a decision to set a certain person merely because I was the setter. Now, I try to have a reason behind every set, whether that be a hitter that’s hot, another team’s blocking scheme, or an opportunity for me to be aggressive and score on my own. I have also gotten physically stronger, which makes it easier for me to reverse the flow of a ball or make those crosscourt sets. My versatility has improved as well –– I am a bigger presence in the front row as either a setter or a hitter.
What skills are important to you not only as a setter, but being a leader on the court?
As a setter, I need to always be thinking and strategizing of how to find ways for my hitters to score. It’s important that setters are crafty and can see the court well. They should have the highest volleyball IQ out on the court. Setters are the quarterbacks; they often take on the leadership roles of teams. For me, being a leader on the court requires me to have a team first mentality. I need to always set an example for others with my hard work, competitive edge, and all around effort for the sake of the team. I need to be 110% engaged in every point of every match, no matter the score. Also, if I have a teammate that is a little off, it’s my job to help them get back on their game.
Two High IQ players with @KoMetVolleyball Emily Terry reading the split and Sarah Luong going for the deep corner for @BSMVolleyball pic.twitter.com/1daQrVxpV4
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) September 7, 2019
How are you able to manage your time between athletics, activities, and maintaining high academic standards?
It’s all about priorities. My parents have always instilled in me that school comes first, and volleyball is secondary. Volleyball is what I do for fun –– I know it’s a privilege to play volleyball and that I need to stay on top of schoolwork and other responsibilities first. While I do have a pretty tough course load, it is definitely doable if I stay organized and motivated. When I have free time, I know I have to be productive to get ahead. During high school season, it’s really important for me to work hard on the weekends so I don’t get overloaded with school work during the week.
How did you choose Emory? What is your intended major?
Throughout my entire college process, I was only interested in schools that are very academically rigorous. As my dad tells me, I’m probably not going to be a professional volleyball player one day, so I need to be a professional in something else. Because I probably want to major in applied math or mathematics (possibly on a pre-med track), Emory has countless opportunities, especially for these majors, with their hospital, medical school and the CDC right next door. In addition, I knew I wanted a successful volleyball team. While Emory is Division III, they have seen great success, winning the 2018 National Championship. Finally, when I stepped foot on the campus, I loved it. The coaches are amazing, and the sense of community there excites me. Overall, Emory went above and beyond in every box on my list – I’m so excited to call it home.
Just For Fun
Dream Job: Possibly an anesthesiologist
Go To Netflix/TV Show: Grey’s Anatomy
Favorite App: Instagram
Favorite Class: Calculus
If you could change one rule in volleyball, what would it be? I would allow setters to jump at the net to dump the ball when they are in the backrow.
One Place You Want To Travel To: Banff, Canada
If you could set one attacker for a guaranteed kill, who would you pick? Elizabeth Juhnke
Advice to anyone who wants to be a setter: Stick with it! Setting might not always receive the most recognition, but there’s nothing better than setting up a teammate for a perfect kill. Also, don’t be afraid to take control on the court; setters are the quarterbacks of teams.