By Kristen Davis
Arizona Daily Wildcat
November 5, 1997

Balancing Act

Nicholas Valenzuela Arizona Daily Wildcat Seniors Michelle Fanger (left), Carolyn Penfield (middle) and sophomore Raelene Morton are connected by more than just volleyball. All three are devout Mormons and although volleyball takes time away from their religion, they maintain their faith.

When starters Michelle Fanger, Carrie Penfield and Raelene Morton decided to play volleyball for Arizona, they knew one of their top priorities in life would have to be set aside at times during their careers.

Seniors Fanger and Penfield and Morton, a sophomore, are Mormon and list their faith as one of the most important aspects of their lives. In addition to a three-hour Sunday ward, they attend meetings, classes and socials throughout the week.

"Church and family of course come first, but at certain times in your life other things come in," Fanger said.

Their volleyball commitment often cuts into their time at the on-campus facility, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints' Tucson Institute of Religion.

"I'd like to say that religion is my first priority, but I have to put it aside sometimes for volleyball," said Penfield, who is the vice president of the church's service sorority, Lambda Delta Sigma. "But I don't think I've put it aside. I've just had to find other ways to keep religion in my life."

Sunday, for example, the players cannot attend ward because of a 1 p.m. match against third-ranked Stanford.

"I hate this week," Fanger said. "There's something so refreshing about church and it prepares you for the next week. When I'm not able to go because of volleyball, it makes the week more difficult."

Penfield, Fanger and Morton, whose posted signs throughout the Institute advertising their matches generate about 30 fans at each contest, make compromises to fulfill their religious commitments.

Morton said she will try to attend a morning session Sunday and all of them will be able to make it to the evening fireside gathering.

Road trips are more difficult.

Next weekend the Wildcats play Friday night and Sunday afternoon at the Oregon schools, meaning the trio will miss all ward sessions and the fireside.

"It's hard to justify that you have to play volleyball Sunday when you know you should be (in church)," Penfield said.

Head coach Dave Rubio understands his players' balance act between volleyball and religion.

Penfield said Rubio, "would never ask me to compromise my standards," and Fanger added that he's never hindered them from going to church.

"The spiritual side for every person is important depending how important it is to that individual," Rubio said. "They all are very strong in their belief of the Mormon religion. I think that's wonderful and I would certainly never want to get in the way."

Fanger was the first of the Mormon players to come to UA in 1993. Penfield joined the team the following year and Morton came to Arizona two seasons later.

"We've all gained a tremendous amount from volleyball and school. We don't really have to put religion aside because it's an everyday thing," Fanger said. "When we can't make it to church a few times each semester we find other ways like reading scriptures."

College was not the first time they were forced to set their faith aside. During high school, club ball often cut into Sunday church sessions.

"(My parents) have always been very supportive and knew the only way I could go to college was if I got a scholarship," Morton said.

All three players come from large families and relied on volleyball to fund their education. Penfield's family and Morton's family each have seven children and Fanger is one of five.

After their volleyball careers are over - which is only a couple of months away for Fanger and Penfield - they have the opportunity to go on a mission.

Penfield and Morton said they have not yet decided whether or not they will do so. Fanger, however, is hoping to leave for the 18-month spiritual adventure in January.

She had an appointment last night with the church's stake president in her final interview before she mails the mission papers off next week.

"It's amazing when you make a life decision how much confidence and excitement comes with new things," Fanger said. "I'm excited to finish out the season and ready to move on, especially in the other areas in my life that I haven't been able to focus on as much as I would like."

For now, however, Penfield's, Fanger's and Morton's mission is helping the Wildcats finish the season strong so the team receives a good seed in the NCAA tournament next month.

USA TODAY/AVCA women's top 25

Rank Team	       Points  Record  Last Week

1	Long Beach St.(40)1449	20-1	 2
2	Penn State (8)	1382	22-1	 1
3	Stanford (11)	1351	22-2	 4
4	Florida	        1350	23-1	 3
5	Wisconsin (1)	1194	20-2	 7
6	UC Santa Barbara1191	22-2	 6
7	USC	        1095    17-4	 7
8	Texas	        1027	18-3	 9
9	BYU	        1024	20-5	 5
10	Washington State 953	21-4	10
11	Pepperdine	 868	19-2	12
12	Arizona	        793    16-4    13
13	Nebraska	 702	16-6	11
14	Texas A&M        651	17-5	15
15	Hawaii	         637	18-5	14
16	Maryland	 576	21-0	16
17	Colorado State	 565	21-3	19
18	Pacific	         473	16-6	17
19	Washington	 442	14-8	18
20	Loyola Marymount 333	17-5	20
21	San Diego	 328	20-2	21
22	Colorado	 309	12-7	23
23	Arkansas	 189	20-5	22
24	Michigan State	  90	18-7	25
25	UCLA	          84	10-10	24

Others receiving points: South Carolina (29), Ohio State (20), Michigan (13), Kansas State (10), Eastern Washington (8), Central Florida (7), Clemson (4), Texas Tech (4), Florida State (2), Houston (2), Northern Illinois (2), Notre Dame (2), South Florida (2), Ball State (1), Fresno State (1), Minnesota (1), Sacramento State (1).