SNOQUALMIE – For three days in July Maggie Olson, a standout setter at Mount Si High School, will be taking the court with Washington’s best as a member of the 3A all-state team volleyball team.

Olson said the gravity of the honor of playing with the squad, which will travel to Fife, Yakima and Spokane, didn’t sink in immediately.

“I didn’t think much of it at first but my mom got really excited,” said Olson. “Then I realized I was [among] only the top 12 or 14 in state.”

On the court, Olson said she rarely thinks about the outcome of the match, but rather about being in the moment, and team and personal goals.

Although the outcome of the season didn’t turn out the way she’d hoped, Olson is quick to credit her teammates and coach Bonnie Foote for being selected to the all-state team.

“I think we had a good season, unfortunately when we got to districts we didn’t play as well as we had earlier in the season,” said Olson. “We all got along so well, what we lacked in skill we had in fire and intensity.”

In fact, it was Foote that brought Olson to the setter position.

“I used to be an outside hitter and she trained me as a setter,” said Olson. “Through everything she has been a great coach. I can look back and [say], ‘Wow, Bonnie made me the player I am.’ We are pretty close and she pushes me a lot both mentally and physically. She came in and built a great program.”

In her sophomore year Olson arrived at Mount Si as a varsity player who didn’t receive a lot of playing time that rookie season, Foote remembered. Although Olson didn’t have a desire to become a setter, Foote explained that the move would be advantageous the following season as setter Kristen Everett was graduating.

The rest is all-state history.

“Having Maggie on this team meant a lot to me,” said Foote. “She was our captain and was a fine leader for the Mount Si volleyball program her senior year. Having Maggie as a part of our team and a part of my life brings a smile to my face. She is determined and an extremely hard worker. Maggie has gone through a lot the past two years and has matured into a fine young lady as well as an extremely talented volleyball player. I am proud of her and all her accomplishments.”

As for the future, Olson has her sights set on a Division I-A school.

“I haven’t committed anywhere yet, still looking at my options,” said Olson. “But I will start narrowing down my choices at the end of March. I’m looking at the Big Sky conference. I have contacted a bunch of schools and they will contact me depending on a tournament appearance.”

Foote is confident Olson will have a successful run wherever she attends school.

“She has goals and she will do whatever she can to reach them,” she said.

After college Olson said she’ll likely enter the field of education or psychology to work with children.

“I definitely want to coach at some point as well,” she added.

For next year’s Wildcats’ team, Olson’s absence will be felt.

“She has a bright future and I am personally going to miss her, not to mention the void that our program will feel not having her part of us next year,” said Foote. “She has already asked me if she can come back and coach with me some day. I would love for that to happen. She is like a little sister to me and I am excited to see her continue down the path of success.”