By Don Ketchum

Lucinda Nash has coached seven state-championship volleyball teams and five runners-up at Kayenta Monument Valley High. She knows what she likes in a player, and that means being more than one-dimensional.

If you do not follow that blueprint, you will sit, even if you are the coach’s daughter.

That’s what happened when Nash’s daughter, Bradley, was a freshman. Her passing skills weren’t up to the coach’s standards, so she came out of games when it came time for her to move to the back row.

“It just killed me to go out of the game,’’ Bradley said. “But I learned to become more of a complete player.’’

Bradley has all grown up now and at a height of 6 feet, the senior has become one of the top all-around players and especially outside hitters in the state, regardless of classification.

Monument Valley, meanwhile, is on track toward capturing a third straight Class 3A title.

Coach Nash said Bradley, has become a better player, does some blocking and although she is looking to kill the ball with force most of the time, she can place the ball where opponents aren’t with a slower shot with more touch. She also is a much better passer and setter.

Bradley also was a member of Monument Valley’s Class 3A champion basketball team that was coached by her father, Robert.

Whatever activity she participates in, she likes to compete. She is the youngest of five children, four of them girls. She is the tallest of the girls.

“All the others are about 5-5, and I’m glad I’m taller,’’ she said, laughing.

Basketball is probably more popular at Monument Valley and in the 3A North Region, but volleyball is a close second. She and most of her teammates have played together since the third grade.

“We all have the same goal and that is to win the state championship again,’’ said Bradley, who has made a verbal commitment to play for New Mexico State. “We want to win our third in a row. We want to be special. Not many teams have done that.’’

Monument Valley has won several tournaments this season, including a recent one in Page. Its toughest competition in the North Region comes from defending state runner-up Tuba City and Window Rock.

Bradley credits working together as a team during the summer (volleyball and basketball) and added strength through a weight-training class as reasons why the team is successful.

The players appreciate the support provided by the community.

“We want to win. We don’t want to let the fans down or our teammates down,’’ Bradley said.