By Don Ketchum

Peoria Centennial volleyball fans are undeniably mad about Maddy Mertz.

When she takes the floor, the 6-foot-1 junior does everything for the Coyotes, who were unbeaten entering this week in their quest for a Division I state crown.

She is listed as an outside hitter, but she can block the ball with the best of them, pass the ball, set up teammates and dig the ball out.

Mertz, an All-State Second Team selection by The Arizona Republic as a sophomore last season, is a dominant player, according to Centennial coach Carly Bourland.

“She’s also a leader,’’ Bourland said. “She expects a lot of herself and her teammates. She is vocal when she needs to be, but she also leads through her actions. She is not all talk. She brings others up to her level.’’

In club ball, Mertz was a libero most of the time.

“That helped me with my passing and my play all the way around,’’ she said.

Bourland said Mertz’s passing has improved since last season, due in part to her participation in sand volleyball competition over the summer in California. Mertz was paired with Phoenix Veritas Prep’s Sarah Sponcil, who recently also said she benefited from that style of play.

“I think it helps you be a smarter player and to see more of the court,’’ Bourland said.

Said Mertz: “It’s harder to move around in the sand, so that also helps you with your conditioning. With the passing, you learn a lot more about touch and ball control.’’

Arizona began sand volleyball on an experimental basis last spring with a limited number of teams. If Centennial opts to have a team in the spring of 2013, Mertz said she would like to try it.

Mertz also has gotten stronger through working with trainers, according to Bourland.

“She’s not just this tall, scrawny kid anymore,’’ Bourland said.

As much as Mertz likes scoring points with kills, she might enjoy blocking shots even more.

“Blocking is the best feeling. It can be intimidating,’’ she said.

Mertz does well in school and is involved in student council.

She is serious about what she is doing, “but she has a goofy side, she can have fun, too,’’ Bourland said.

Mertz’s favorite subject is English, “because there are many right answers,’’ she said.

She still will have a year to go after this, but Mertz already is casting her net for possible landing sites as far as college is concerned.

The schools on which she has focused thus far have been the University of Denver, Northern Arizona, Stanford and Georgetown.