In football there’s the quarterback, and in basketball the point guard. These players lead their respective teams by example, voice, and just pure leadership qualities. In volleyball, there is the setter, and at Garfield there is Catherine Juson.

Cat, as she is known by most of her friends and teammates, is a 2nd Team All– KingCo setter and a very important part of the success of the Garfield volleyball team. Her leadership qualities could determine the outcome of a game, and ultimately, a season. No problem.

“This year Cat is bringing experience and confidence to our team,” said coach Leslie Hamann. “We are very lucky to have her.”

Her team shares that confidence.

“Cat can do everything we need her to do,” said junior Maddy Shaw. “She does it all for us.”

Juson began her volleyball life on the beaches in Long Beach, California. She joined in when everyone went down close to the water just to play volleyball in the hot sun. When she moved to Seattle she began to play on the Washington Middle School volleyball team and five years later finds herself here at Garfield. In between, she attended Cleveland High School for her freshman year, played soccer at Washington Middle School, recreational softball and Garfield track. However, volleyball is her calling.

It’s hard to believe that Juson was once not even interested in playing volleyball, especially since now it’s her passion. She does something special everyday at the biggest leadership position on the court. She is part of the motivational spark of the team as well as loudest one out there.

“I bring motivation and the drive to do well all the time,” Juson said. “Everyday I go all out for everything. I don’t believe in not playing at 100%.”

Cat hopes that this work ethic will propel her to a college scholarship, but for now she is content with making herself better at the game she loves to play all the time.

“I want to work on my consistency and setting and hitting,” she said. “My goal is to become a very well-rounded player which will help me be a leader to everyone and motivate.”

Juson may have some lofty goals, but it is a testament to her personality that she feels like she can achieve each and every one of them. The most important thing to her is the motivation she has to succeed in any way possible.

Cat Juson is the quarterback of the Garfield Volleyball and she’s setting up success all over the court.