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Bower Leads the Nationally Ranked Cougar Spikers as a Captain
By Brady Bingham, Standard-Examiner
Oct. 19, 1999
PROVO -- Caroline Steuer Bower is not shy talking about her decision to play volleyball at Brigham Young University. "BYU's been a terrific experience. I've loved it tremendously," Bower said. And why not? Nearly everything has come up roses for the former Pleasant View resident since choosing the "Y" following three successful seasons at Weber High. Now in the midst of her senior season as the starting outside hitter for the 10th-ranked Cougars, Bower has played a role on BYU squads that have finished the season ranked no lower than fifth nationally and have won the Western Athletic Conference for three straight seasons. She's earned numerous awards, ranging from an All-Tournament team selection at the BYU/Mizuno classic as a sophomore in 1997 to receiving the inaugural Floyd Johnson Service Award in 1996. She's also on schedule to graduate with a degree in sociology. But the excitable Bower speaks most proudly of meeting her husband, Danny, the popular former guard on the Cougars' basketball team, while at school. "It was definitely romantic," jokes Bower, remembering how the couple met. "We first met in the weight room." During her sophomore year at BYU, Bower admits she thought she knew almost everyone in the athletic department. But Danny, beginning his junior season at BYU, had just transferred from Ricks College. "When (Danny) came in I thought, "This guy's got potential.'" said Bower. "But we became best friends for several years." The pair was married on Aug. 1, 1998. Bower speaks with equal excitement and admiration about her teammates and coaches. "We have always had very good teams at BYU. I have been very fortunate," Bower said. "There is just something different about being on a team at BYU. Since I've been here, the chemistry has always been really great. "We are a very balanced team this year," she added. "I don't know if this makes sense, but we put a lot into playing better, but also each have balanced lives." For the most part, Bower credits BYU's chemistry to legendary coach Elaine Michaelis. In 30 years of coaching the Cougars, Michaelis holds an amazing record of 815-204-5. "The coaching staff is awesome," Bower said. "Everyone knows about coach Michaelis. She's been terrific. She really knows what's going on in the volleyball world. And she always puts together a team that has a lot of chemistry." Along the way, Michaelis has had a lot of praise for Bower: "Caroline is a team leader as both a captain and as a player. She is one of the best passers and defensive players to play at BYU." Bower said her style of volleyball comes in part from several former BYU players. Specifically, Bower points out the styles of BYU greats Gail Johnson, Amy Gant and Shar Johnson. "(Gail) was one of those sparkplug players, always full of excitement. (Amy) was a very intelligent, skill-oriented player. And (Shar) had that do-or-die attitude, always giving her body up for every play. I think I try to have a combination of all of those players, taking the best from each," Bower said. Those skills have Bower leading the Cougars in digs and services aces. Some of those same skills helped Bower, then Caroline Steuer, enjoy success at Weber High School as well. As a junior, Bower led the Warriors to a 32-1 Region 1 record and the 5-A state volleyball championship in 1993. Bower was named the tournament's MVP. Prior to her senior season, Weber's team was split due to the formation of Fremont High. Yet they still went all the way to the semifinals. Bower was a four-sport athlete at Weber High, competing in vol leyball, basketball, track and softball. But volleyball has always been her love.
"I just have a complete love of the game," Bower admits. And it shows in the way she plays on the court. "I know when I'm not doing my best. I will try to correct things by making the simple techniques more accurate. I just always want to be progressing."
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