Doing whatever it takes: Timpview employs unique preparations to get by Pleasant Grove

By Brandon Gurney - | Sep 17, 2025

: Timpview Coach Kristen Bailey practiced against her team to prepare her player’s for Pleasant Grove’s size advantage

: Pleasant Grove’s Molly Mitchell serving the ball

: Timpview’s Charlotte Houghton attempts a kill

: Timpview’s Telia Fiatoa serves the ball

: Timpview celebrates scoring a point during its win over Pleasant Grove

: Timpview’s Isabella Ballin sets the ball during her team’s win over Pleasant Grove

: Timpview’s Livia Eyre serves the ball versus Pleasant Grove

: Pleasant Grove’s Kaitlin Stadler

: Timpview Coach Kristen Bailey instructs her team during a timeout

: Timpview’s Livia Eyre has been a standout for the Thunderbirds this season

: Timpview celebrates following its big win over Pleasant Grove

Brandon Gurney, Provo Daily Herald

Timpview Coach Kristen Bailey practiced against her team to prepare her player's for Pleasant Grove's size advantage

Most coaches are willing to do just about anything in order to prepare their teams for success, and Timpview girls volleyball Coach Kristen Bailey certainly fits that bill.

Heading into this past Tuesday’s match versus Pleasant Grove, Bailey knew her players needed unique preparations in order to go against the Viking’s superior length at the net, and fortunately had just what her team needed.

“We practiced all day yesterday focusing on their wonderful and tall hitters,” Bailey related. “So much so that 40-year old me went out there to practice and perhaps emulate just how great some of their players, such as their No. 44, are. I did it so we could somehow get used to their size and how great they are in taking advantage of it.”

Wearing No. 44 for Pleasant Grove is 6-foot-6 Taytum Nelson, just one player Bailey, who stands in at 6-foot-4, attempted to emulate, along with several other of the Viking players who stand in over 6-feet tall.

And it worked.

Brandon Gurney, Provo Daily Herald

Pleasant Grove's Molly Mitchell serving the ball

The Thunderbirds took a thrilling 5-set win over the Vikings (25-10, 26-24, 17-25, 16-25, 15-7.)

“We came out blocking really well in that first set, and I’m just so proud of my girls for rallying there at the end to get this win,” Bailey said. “Pleasant Grove is amazing, and it’s always a fun game when we play them, and all the credit goes to my girls.”

Leading the way for Timpview, much as she has all year, was senior outside hitter Livia Eyre who did it all from providing big kills, digging out tough balls and serving effectively throughout. Even more importantly, Eyre provided strong encouragement to her teammates while fully embracing the leadership role thrust upon her.

“She’s a three-year starter, she doesn’t rotate out and she’s going on to play in college,” Bailey said of Eyre, who is committed to play for Concordia at the collegiate level. “She’s an incredible player, but even a more incredible leader. She lifts the whole team. I’ve had players that are great players, but not really great teammates. Livia is both, and that’s rare.”

“I feel like I’ve been through a lot over my high school career, and I just really want to win this year,” Eyre added. “Helping all my teammates become as confident as possible in their abilities and play as best we can together is a big thing we all want. We all lift each other and that’s what we did out there tonight.”

Brandon Gurney, Provo Daily Herald

Timpview's Charlotte Houghton attempts a kill

As the score would indicate, Timpview jumped on Pleasant Grove quickly, taking the first set by a surprisingly large margin. The Vikings then got off to an early lead in the second set before the Thunderbirds reeled off seven straight points out of a timeout to take a 14-13 lead, before ultimately taking the set by a slim 26-24 margin.

Pleasant Grove then came back strong, taking the third and fourth sets 25-17 and 25-16, and appeared poised to cruise toward a five-set win.

But Timpview had other plans.

“We were playing to lose and not to win, like we were at the start of the match,” Eyre said. “That’s what I told the team and then encouraged all of them to put it all out there for that final set and show everyone what Timpview volleyball is all about.”

Mission accomplished, as the Thunderbirds built an early 8-3 lead and then traded points to take the set 15-7 and ultimately pull off the upset win.

Brandon Gurney, Provo Daily Herald

Timpview's Telia Fiatoa serves the ball

Both Eyre and Bailey were quick to point out the contributions made by others on Timpview’s roster, perhaps most notably senior Telia Fiatoa, who is committed to play for Eastern Wyoming following her prep career.

“Telia, who is our libero is an incredible passer, but tonight I had to take her out and light her up a bit,” Bailey said. “But she came back big in that fifth set and we couldn’t have gotten it done without her.”

With the win Timpview improves to 9-6 on the season and 4-2 in Region 7 competition while Pleasant Grove drops to 8-9 and 4-1, respectively, with the loss.