Davis

Seniors Avery Jensen, Paige Halliday, Olivia Checketts and Leah Tuft return to lead the Davis team, who finished sixth in state in 2023, for head coach McKay Barker, who is in her fourth year. “In the past our team has relied on one or two players for our success as a team,” Barker said. “While we have had some really great athletes come out of Davis over the years, this year our plan is to understand our role on the team and offer the best effort possible.” 

Barker said her girls focused on development in the off-season and getting as much court time as possible. “It is always fun to see how much the girls have improved,” she said. 

Region 1 should again prove to be strong competition, but Barker said the Darts are excited for the challenge. “We have a tough season ahead, playing some very talented teams. We are ready to work hard and compete,” she said. “Our goal is to continue to work hard and contend for the top region spot. We are also excited about our young incoming sophomores and can’t wait to see them develop.” 

Also on the DHS squad this season are seniors Katie Reymer, Claire Hodgson and Naomi Udy; juniors Pola Wong, Juilana Muzychenko, Mirella Gonzales Carrillo, Alex Harris, Scarlett Little, Ella Tsntis, Zoey Walsh and Jewel Korth; and sophomores Stella Bennett, Rebecca Peterson, Kate Donigan, Olivia Christensen, Claire Shupe, Morgan Swain, Zaylee Mabey, Marli Wall, Emily Taylor, Mylie Rigby, Roxanne Franks and Ellsie Burton.

At the Davis JV/sophomore tournament Aug. 15-16, the sophomore team placed second while the JV team was third. “It was a great competition,” said Barker. “We have a lot of promising young kids.”

Farmington

Senior outside hitter Ellyse Taylor and sophomore middle blocker Sara Rathbun return for the Farmington squad this season. 

Third-year head coach Kate Hawkes said she is also counting on her strong JV team – including seniors outside hitter Becca Wansgard, middle blocker Clara Johnson and libero Calia Miller – from last year to bring talent to varsity this year who hopes to improve on a third-place finish in Region 1.

“We are really looking forward to this season,” Hawkes said. “We have lots of talent and some excellent returning players. Our goals are to be united on the court, on the bench and in the stands.”

Also on the FHS team this year are seniors Callie Curtis, Addy Schmid, Sydney Smith and Ava Walton; juniors Myka Adams, Natalie Barlow, Taylor Butterfield, Aubrey Nelson, Leah Pease, Ellie Schow, Brynn Schroer and Rylin Toone; sophomores Brooke Bitton, Tya Cheshire, Tess Clawson, Molly Cook, Kylee Day, Kate Drummond, Beatrice Etter, Brielle Henderson, Kylie Love and Indie Olson; and freshmen Camdyn Bryner, Cali Crockett, Grace Dunn and Rees Purdie.

In its first match of the season Aug. 15 against Ridgeline, the Phoenix won a tight five-setter 23-25, 25-12, 23-25, 25-22, 15-12. “It was a great matchup,” said Hawkes.

Bountiful

The 5A Player of the Year – senior outside hitter Taylor Harvey – returns to lead Bountiful, last year’s 5A state runners-up, this season along with junior outside hitter Milika Satuala, senior setter Hannah White, junior libero Adelaide Stevenson, senior middle blocker Abby Orme and senior defensive specialists Elsie Breinholt and Rachel Erickson.

“I am so excited for this season,” second-year head coach Kelsie White said. “We have a ton of talent and high work ethic in the gym that I know will lead us to a successful season.”

During the offseason, an emphasis was put on the culture of Bountiful volleyball. “This group of girls is a special one, like all Bountiful girls are,” White said. “One of the aspects I take most seriously is maintaining the culture that we have worked so hard to build. Part of this is taking the time for the girls to get to know each other and build those connections that set the tone for the whole season.”

White aims for the players to have a good experience and be as competitive as possible. “Our goal will always be state, but we will never take the journey for granted or overlook any team we play leading up to the tournament,” she said. “We have an exciting season and are optimistic about the potential this team has.”

Also on the BHS squad this year are seniors Ellen Davis and Mae Johnson; juniors Isabella Beck, Mckinley Duryea, Camilla Gardner and Kylie Goodell; sophomores Aspen Danner, Reagan Duryea, Paisley Gosney, Lavoni Havea, Naiya Kusitor, Ahnika Makris, Romney Morrison, Rose Muraski, Carlie Nielsen, Jane Orme, SammiJo Taula and Mayli Watson; and freshmen Katie Barnett, Maddie Johnson, Millie Johnson, Ati Kahuhu, Brooklyn Smith and Jane Staheli.

White is being assisted by Hayden Hamblin, Kaitlyn Newman and statistician Landon Chism. 

In its first match of the season Aug. 15, the Redhawks lost to Pleasant Grove – the second-ranked team in 5A – 25-18, 25-19, 26-24. 

Viewmont

Second-year coach Karl Lippa preaches “Offense is fun, defense is work. Do work!” “We are seeing the beginnings of that work and that fight and we want to keep building off the work the girls are already doing,” he said. “They’re showing up and they’re seeing their hard work pay off. I’m grateful to see that mindset growth.”

Lippa credits former VHS coach and current assistant Kristi Roy for their efforts in bringing excitement to the program the past few years with that momentum leading to the Vikings reaching the state quarterfinals for the first time in 16 years last fall. Viewmont lost to eventual 5A state champion Maple Mountain 3-0.

“We have continued to grow each year over the past few years, and I am looking forward to that excitement for the program,” Lippa said. “Making it to the state quarterfinals last year showed the hardworking kids in the program. Our region is strong, and I am excited for these young ladies to play top tier teams. We have a nice balance of offense and defense returning from last year’s team and a good base with our younger teams who had good success, and I am looking forward to the growth of the program again this year.”

On the 2024 VHS squad are seniors Mary Carr, Maddy Christiansen, Nessa Haddock, CJ Johnson, Pearl Johnson, Dani Siddoway and Jaydee Webb; juniors Anna Anderegg, Maddy Archibeque, Peyton Burningham, Miya Edgington, Kennedy Hanson, Mia McGranaghan, Makenna Numbers, Addi Pinnock, Jaycee Roodbol and Kirra Singley; sophomores Natalia Beck, Lena Beltran, Addie Carr, Betty Cluff, Juliet Darden, Summer Dirkmaat, Sophie Hanson, Hailey Justensen, Klancee Larsen, Emme Rudder and Kallie Scholz; and freshmen Clara Dean, Aspen Dirkmaat, Sydney Lege, Sophie Poulter, Ella Rawson and Evie Singleton

Lippard is being assisted by Roy, Stefanie Jensen and Kennard Lin.

Woods Cross

The Woods Cross volleyball team finished third at the 5A state tournament last season, losing to eventual state champion Maple Mountain 3-0 in the semifinals, and have a certain date circled on their calendars this fall. 

“Our goal is to be playing on November 9 with the hope of making it to the finals,” third-year head coach Josey Hilton said. “We have a young and athletic team this year that is extremely driven and focused.”

Key returning contributors for the Wildcats are junior outside hitter Avery Poulton and sophomores setter Zamari Christensen, middle blocker Alisi Tapa’atoutai, outside hitter Ella Hinton, outside hitter Brylee Howard and right side hitter Sarah Robison. Juniors outside hitter/right side hitter/setter Adia Cook, outside hitter Alexis Ormsby and libero Madison Schaerrer along with McCall Preston are newcomers that Hilton will also rely on this season.

After an offseason of rest and recovery, the Woods Cross girls are renewing friendships and chemistry as they focus on team goals of Selflessness, Effort and Attitude. 

Also on the WXHS team this season are Bailey Anderson, Gillian Anderson, Ava Bischke, Sophia Borges, Charlotte Buchanan, Julie Buchanan, Kiersten Ence, Amelia Gale, Colette Germane, Jade Hall, Mckenna Howes, Tupu Hunt, Cammie Laing, Lilian Larson, Cali Lindsay, Orillana Matagi, Mallory Nelson, Libby Phillips, Peyton Mabey, Daesha Roberts, Emma Skinner, Victoria Sullivan, Brianna Westergard, Whitney Winegar, Claire Young, Elyse Young

and managers Hailey Kellett and King Tuivaiti.

“With our returning talent, we feel that we should be in good shape for both region and state,” Hilton said. “It should be a fun season,” Hilton said. “We would love a crowd as the volleyball is gonna be good!”