SLIPPERY ROCK — When Kristen Staugh entered ninth grade at Slippery Rock HighSchool, she had a decision to make.

Goals or aces? Assists or sets? Spikes on the field or spikes on the court?

It was a tough choice for Staugh, who played both soccer and volleyball in junior high.

Volleyball won. And the Rockets have been grateful ever since.

"I was going to play soccer," said the senior setter for the Rockets' volleyball team. "When I came to high school, I thought about it and came to the conclusion, "Well, I'm OK at volleyball, so I'm going to play that.'"

Staugh has become more than OK at the sport.

Entering her final season, the three-year starter already holds four school records and has her sights set on three more.

Staugh holds the Slippery Rock record for points in a season (321) and in a career (676), as well as marks for aces in a season (92) and in a career (203).

She will most likely graduate with her name in the record book for assists in a season and in a career as well as the digs mark.

Not bad for someone who almost played soccer.

"When I played a lot during my freshman season, I realized I made the right decision," Staugh said. "I'm really glad I played volleyball."

Slippery Rock coach Greg Dugan inserted Staugh into the starting lineup as the Rockets' setter early in her freshman year.

The team went 8-5 in the region and made the playoffs that season. They haven't been back since.

"You're not going to find very many ninth graders who are just going to step out onto the court and take control like she did," Dugan said. "She assumed that was just the way it should be. Now, she wants to get back to the playoffs her senior year."

Dugan has high expectations for his star setter and server this season.

He's also planning on movingStaugh around, allowing her to pass and hit.

But her biggest contribution may come from her leadership and veteran savvy.

"It feels like I have been coaching her forever, which, I guess, is a good thing," Dugan said. "She's the team captain. She's the leader of this court."

Staugh is thinking big, too.

During the offseason,Staugh teamed with several of her Rockets' teammates on the SWAT Junior Olympic team, located in Slippery Rock. The team fared well in several tournaments.

That got them gunning for the team that set the standard at Slippery Rock — the 2002 team that went 18-0 during the regular season.

"We were just talking about that the other day," Staugh said. "I think we can do it. We just want to work together and get along. And win — that's a big part of it."

A big part of Staugh's game is her serves — they float and twist in the air like a knuckleball. That makes them very hard to return and leads to a slew of aces.

Staugh doesn't know how she does it. The serves just come off her hand that way.

"It's a natural kind of thing," Staugh said. "I try to put it where they can't get it. It helps that my serves kind of float and move back and forth. I didn't work on it."

Staugh is also aggressive with her serves — something Dugan encourages out of his players.

"It's pretty much just confidence in what you can do," Dugan said. "It's all the reps she's put in here in the gym. We're really going to need her serving this year."

Staugh is undecided whether or not she will play college volleyball. Her decision may be dictated on who comes calling.

So far, no one has.

While some would find that perplexing, Staugh does not.

"I don't expect anything," Staugh said. "If someone wants me, they'll come for me. I just like playing and having fun."

And breaking school records.

"I didn't think I would break any,"Staugh said. "I think it's pretty cool."

Slippery Rock High senior volleyball player Kristen Staugh already has four school records and is closing in on three others. Following are the records she has already eclipsed.<B>Category----------Record</B>Points (season)----------321Points (career)----------676Aces (season)----------92Aces (career)----------203