For the first time in 46 years, the Woods Cross High School girls volleyball team won the 5A Championship Oct. 30, the team brought home the trophy with a police escort to celebrate the win. But for the girls it meant more than just the win. 

The team is a tight-knit group, consistently looking out for each other as players fight through injuries. The team always comes together against challenges. 

“There were no nerves there,” said Alexis Ornsby, an outside player on the volleyball team. “It was going to be really fun, and just the thought of us maybe being state champions was really great.” 

“The thing I will miss most is playing with our seniors,” said Alisi Tapaatoutai, a middle blocker. “I loved our seniors a lot this year.”

“I think having a good team was fun, all the girls on the team were my friends, but winning was also so fun,” said Sitoafa Tausinga, an outside.

“One of my greatest memories is connecting with each girl individually,” said Nicole Hogan, the Woods Cross volleyball coach. “The winning and the great season obviously adds to it, but for me, it’s about that connection.”

The team’s record was 12-0 in the region, landing them the first-place title wrapping that up with a 30-1 overall status, clinching the state title as well. 

“There was a little bit of pressure just because we were the number one seed, so we were expected to perform well.” said Avery Poulton, an outside hitter for Woods Cross. “I think we used that to our advantage to help us perform better and take those expectations and use them to work harder.”

Volleyball takes more than physical demands there is a mental toughness involved as well. 

“I think our talent level and athleticism across the board was greater than any I’ve ever coached,” said Hogan. “Their will and their competitive drive to win was pretty evident. These guys are tough, tough competitors.” 

“It was just getting to know my teammates and being really close with them,” said Tapaatoutai. “Being able to create this bond while we also happened to be winning games, and just playing was the best.”

For some of these girls, this chapter of high school volleyball has come to a close but for others they’ll be playing at the college level. Poulton has committed to play volleyball at Kansas University. Ornsby is set out to play volleyball at Carlton College, along with competing on their swim team.