The Bountiful High girls volleyball team was there right at the end last season, taking Timpview to five sets in the 5A state semifinals before turning around and battling to a win in another five-setter against Maple Mountain to place third.

The Redhawks had three main starters graduate from that group, but three seniors in outside hitter Elle Burleson, right-side hitter Macie Johnson and setter Hallie Hewlett along with junior front-row utility player Taylor Harvey return for the top-ranked Bountiful squad this season.

“We’ll watch for these four players to step up in big ways in big moments,” said head coach Sarah Chism, who is in her ninth season. “I have already seen them leading out, and look forward to watching their progression this season, not just as players, but as leaders as well.”

The team’s final senior Kaylee Simon is out with an injury but Chism said she should be back midway through the year, also noting that sophomores Milika Satuala and Adelaide Stevenson will be immediate contributors to the varsity group. “They played key roles for us last year, and we will rely on them this season to take on even bigger roles and be impact players right from the start.”

Junior Abby Orme and sophomore Isabella Beck are newcomers that should see time in the rotation, according to Chism. “We have a lot of new faces in our gym and it’s exciting to have a new season and a new look to our team with the same great tradition,” she said.

The team has been hard at work in the gym this month focusing on a cohesive offensive rhythm along with passing and serving. 

Harvey will be unavailable for Bountiful’s first two matches as she will be competing for the U21 USA V NTDP team at the FIVB U21 Women’s World Championships in Mexico.

“We are so excited for her to have this opportunity, and wish her all the best,” Chism said. “When she is finished, she will return to play with us for the remainder of the season.”

Also on the BHS squad are juniors Kira Agamez, Elsie Breinholt, Ellen Davis, Audrey Derrick, Rachel Erickson, Lethe Pututau and Hannah White 

Sophomores McKinley Duryea, Camilla Gardner, Kylie Goodell, Kaylie Green, Annabella Malbasic and Sydney Tonnesen; and freshmen Aspyn Danner, LaVoni Havea, Ahnika Makris, Romney Morrison, Carlie Nielsen and SammiJo Taula.

So far this season, the JV team went 3-3, losing to Maple Mountain in the championship at the Davis Brown & Gold tournament Aug. 10-11. The sophomore team also won three of their six matches on the weekend. 

In the varsity squad’s first match Aug. 17, Bountiful lost 23-25, 25-11, 25-16, 25-19.

 The Redhawks are also scheduled to play Pleasant Grove Aug. 22 before Region 5 home-and-away matches begin Aug. 29 against Roy, Clearfield, Bonneville, Viewmont, Northridge, Box Elder and Woods Cross.

Chism is being assisted by Marnie Dimond, Taylor Jordan, Kaitlyn Newman, Jeremiah White and Keslie White along with statistician Landon Chism on the coaching staff this season.