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When Ashley Garfield was less than a year old, her mom walked into the kitchen and found her covered in dirt, gnawing on raw potatoes.
And the nickname "Spud" was born.
"It doesn't really apply now," said Garfield, a senior at Morgan High and The Tribune's Class 3A MVP. "Now I like my potatoes cleaned and cooked."
Garfield cooked up a 3A state championship for the Trojans last month, capping a 23-2 season with a state tournament MVP performance. Morgan lost one game in four rounds, and swept Juan Diego with the help of Garfield's 12 kills and nine digs.
It was Garfield's second state crown, the first since the Trojans won it all her freshman year. But unlike in 2007, Garfield is eager to get the championship ring to commemorate the recent title.
"We were ordering rings and Spud said she didn't want to order one," Morgan coach Liz Wiscombe said. "She said she wanted one that she had worked for."
An unusual act, to say the least.
"When you're a freshman, you think you're going to win eight state championships," Garfield said. "Even though I got in and played in the state game, I didn't feel like I had earned it. So I didn't get one."
The unquestioned leader on the team, Garfield's determination and focus set the tone for the Trojans.
"With Spud, it was always, 'Get me the ball,' " Wiscombe said. "She was always very calm, and really was the leader. She and the other four seniors fit together like puzzle pieces. They were all really close."
Garfield's future involves a different ball and net. The two-sport standout will play basketball next year at BYU.
"I couldn't tell you which sport I love more," Garfield said. "I got some looks for volleyball, made a couple of visits, but [BYU] just felt right."
"I'll still play volleyball, though. Whenever I can get my hands on it." See the All-State Volleyball teams here: http://bit.ly/gj8TmG