ESA senior Brittan Falterman serves the ball during a recent game. As the team’s setter, Falterman has played a key role in helping the hitters score points for the Lady Falcons this season.

CADE — Episcopal School of Acadiana head volleyball coach Ursula Quoyeser tells the story about how she knew what position ESA senior Brittan Falterman should be playing on the court.

“After I accepted the job at ESA, I was still in Houston in the spring and some of the girls from ESA were playing in a club tournament in Houston and I went to watch them play,” said Quoyeser. “I was watching her play and talking to her parents and she’s playing front row and I was like, ‘Why isn’t she setting.’

“I knew she needed to be setting because I saw the energy. In a setter, you look for someone with a lot of energy. They’re kind of like the quarterback on the football team, steady, upbeat go-getters.”

Quoyeser added that after watching Falterman play for just 10 minutes, the ESA coach knew that she needed to be the setter.

“And the next year, when I got here, I made her start setting,” said Quoyeser.

That move has been successful for ESA as the Lady Falcons have advanced to the state volleyball tournament for the past two seasons with Falterman setting up for the kill and ESA’s hitters knocking them down.

But it’s more than just her ability to put the ball in the perfect spot for the kill that sets Falterman apart from many different setters, it’s the ability to bring energy and excitement to the court and it’s something that been noticed by several volleyball observers.

“She could play many other positions,” said Quoyeser. “But she brings the intangibles to the court.

“She’s always up. If you walked into the gym and saw her playing, you’d think that her team was up 10 points even if they’re losing.

“People and coaches from other teams and officials are always saying that they love that No. 14 because of the energy she brings to the court which is something that’s super important for the team and you hope that it rubs off on the others.”

And it has as ESA rolls into the Division V playoffs as the No. 8 seed which means the Lady Falcons have a first round bye as they get ready for their second round contest, which must be played by Thursday.

It also means that ESA needs one win to get to the state tournament at the Pontchartrain Center in Kenner next week.

Falterman has been on the front line all season as the setter for ESA hitters Nanine Cowan, Mary Catherine Louis and Kailie and Kailie Williams.

“We started playing well, we started playing together and it was a really fun experience this year,” said Falterman. “We’re going well, picking ourselves up, cleaning our game up and it’s been really fun.

“I felt like a leader on the court last year but this year it’s definitely been real.”

Stepping into the role of a leader was an easy challenge for Falterman.

After ESA’s setter last season went down with an injury, Falterman stepped into the role and decided that she was going to have a positive attitude about the change.

“I realized that bringing that positive attitude goes a long way and with that we won a lot of games,” she said. “Stepping up to the leadership role and having a positive attitude led to us having a lot of fun on the court. Having that attitude helped me and helped the team.”

What also helps is the fact that Falterman has so many options when it comes to setting the ball for the hitters.

While most teams have one of two hitters to get the ball to, Falterman has four and that makes her job easier.

“Across the board I have somewhere to go,” said the ESA senior. “It’s fun so you get to mix it up and lot and in the process really confuse everyone (on defense) about which way you’re going with the ball.

“You build a chemistry with each one of your hitters and it really helps you get closer with everyone and build relationships.

“Being a setter is hard but it’s also rewarding. You may not get the recognition in the world because no one goes ‘Wow!’ about the set but when you see the hitters get the kill off of your set is the most rewarding thing every. That’s the main thing about being a setter.”

And so Falterman keeps setting them up and the hitters keep knocking them down and with a little luck, it will lead to the state tournament and a chance to put another state championship board on the wall at ESA’s gym.

“That’s how I want this year to end,” said Falterman. 

“With a state title for ESA.”