The Viewmont High volleyball program welcomes a new head coach this season but Karl Lippa is known to the girls as he was a volunteer assistant two years ago and the JV coach last fall.

 “Cathy did a great job to get Viewmont to a respectable level and I am grateful for all her hard work,” Lippa said. “We’ll continue to build upon the work from Cathy, Krysta Hamilton [prior JV coach] and Kristi Roy [prior sophomore coach and current JV coach]. I’m excited for this program.”

Lippa replaces Cathy Hope who coached the Vikings for four years. He was an educator in Virginia for 16 years while also coaching girls and boys volleyball. After moving to Utah three years ago, he connected with Hope and volunteered his time with the 2021 team.

“These kids are just good, genuine kids and there is a real sense of community here,” Lippa said. “It’s been really helpful for me to have the girls and parents to get to know me and what I want and how we’re going to do it. The biggest emphasis is on having the right moral compass where the girls are treating the gyms, the referees and others with respect, and also the understanding that they are students first and athletes second.”

The Vikings return five varsity players from the 2022 team and have added seven more to the top squad as they enter the season hoping to improve on a state showing a year ago where they lost both matches.

“We expect the girls to contribute to and for each other. They can all be top players this year,” said Lippa, noting the excitement of the offseason and the commitment of the players to working hard to be prepared for the year.

On the VHS squad this year are seniors Julia Baird, Brook Bedingfield, Brittley Gines, Sydney Hansen, Maddie Lege and Taylor Veach; juniors Nessa Haddock, Nini Hutchings and CJ Johnson; sophomores Mya Edgington and Payton Griffin; and freshman Klancee Larsen.

Lippa is being assisted on the coaching staff by Roy, Brooklyn Wiggins and Kerri Haddock and team managers Emily Trimming and Halle Turner.

So far this season, the JV and sophomore teams participated in the Brown and Gold tournament Aug. 10-11.

“Both went 2-4, and I was personally pleased with the job the coaches have done,” Lippa said. “For the JV squad, it’s a good eye-opener to see what we as a team need to work on and it also gives us an opportunity to play teams outside our region and see how we stack up. The sophomore team did exceptionally well working together with tremendous growth and learning occurring as a preseason tournament is a great way for the players to get experience. They finished on a strong note, winning two matches on their final day.”

In its first varsity match of the season, the Vikings hosted Riverton Aug. 15 and defeated the Silverwolves 3-1. 

“The match was rather competitive with both teams showing excellent preseason play,” Lippa said. “Our blocking and defense were the keys to each set of victory. The offense was run well with excellence block coverage from our defensive players. While we have many areas to work on and grow, I am pleased with how the team performed.”

Viewmont also plays Layton Aug. 17, in the Riverton Tournament Aug. 18-19 and Herriman Aug. 22 before Region 5 home-and-away matches begin Aug. 29 against Bonneville, Box Elder, Northridge, Bountiful, Woods Cross, Roy and Clearfield.