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Orem senior Sami Blackett serves the ball during the 4A state championship match against Green Canyon at the UCCU Center in Orem on Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023.

Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald

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Lone Peak's Zoey Burgess (7) makes a play on the ball during a girls volleyball match against Orem on Tuesday, August 22, 2023.

Darnell Dickson/Daily Herald

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Skyridge senior Myka Christensen sets the ball during the 6A quarterfinal match against Mountain Ridge at the UCCU Center in Orem on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023.

Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald

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Maddie Webb of Timpanogos, left, takes a swing against Mountain View during a high school girls volleyball match on Tuesday, September 12, 2023.

Darnell Dickson, Daily Herald

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CO-PLAYERS OF THE YEAR: Marly Pratt, Sr. OH and Morgan Pratt, Sr. S, Maple Mountain

The Pratt twins were a dangerous combination all season for the 5A state champions. Marly, an outside hitter, totaled 344 kills (3.6 per set) while hitting .288 with 49 aces, 309 digs and 106 assists. Morgan, the team’s setter, dished out 833 assists and had 274 digs, 63 aces and 65 kills while hitting .292. Both athletes will compete at Weber State next season.

OFFENSIVE MVP: Sami Blackett, Sr. OH, Orem

Blackett, a starter for the Tigers since her freshman season, saved her best for last. In leading Orem to its first state volleyball title since 1981, the high-flying Blackett totaled 513 kills (5.0 per set) while hitting .266 and added 75 aces, 212 digs and 33 assists. She’ll play next season at Utah Valley University.

DEFENSIVE MVP: Zoey Burgess, Sr. MB, Lone Peak

The 6-foot-4 Burgess repeats as Defensive MVP and is one of the state’s most intimidating players. She finished with 65 blocks and 45 aces while hitting .419 and totaled 279 kills (2.9 per set). She has signed to play next season at the University of Kansas.

SETTER MVP: Mykah Christensen Sr., Skyridge

The Falcons earned the No. 1 seed in the 6A state tournament and Christensen was a big reason why. The senior setter totaled 515 assists and contributed 132 digs as well as 53 service aces.

COACH OF THE YEAR: Adam Longmore, Maple Mountain

There were three state championship coaches from the valley but it was the first state title for the Golden Eagles. Longmore took over three seasons ago and the program steadily improved, finally breaking through with a 3-1 victory against Bountiful for the state 5A crown. He runs his program the right way and his undersized squad rolled to a 26-6 record in 2023 with losses to the top three teams in 6A (Lone Peak, Skyridge and Bingham) and three losses to out-of-state teams. The Golden Eagles also finished 12-0 in Region 7 and lost just one set in region play.

First Team All-Valley

(In Alphabetical Order)

Emma Bailey, Sr. OH, Maple Mountain

Bailey crushed it for the Golden Eagles, knocking down 302 kills (3.3 per set) while hitting .266 and contributing 36 aces and 190 digs.

Kaitlyn Barnes, Sr. OH, Pleasant Grove

Barnes paced the Vikings with 255 kills (2.3 per set) and hit .262 with 74 aces and 308 digs.

Kylie Butters So. OH, Skyridge

Buttars led the Falcons with 266 kills (3.1 per set) while hitting .245 with 35 aces and 180 digs.

Cami Christensen, Sr. OH, Lone Peak

Christensen was a great offensive option for the Knights with 236 kills (2.4 per set) and hit .282.

Cala Cooper Sr. OPP., Skyridge

Cooper had 227 kills (2.4 per set), hitting .277 with 44 aces and 58 total blocks for the Falcons.

Livia Eyre, So. OH, Timpview

Eyre proved to be one of the state’s top young players and ended with with 216 kills (4.5 per set) and added 132 digs.

Lily Gagnier, Sr. S, Cedar Valley

Gagnier led the Aviators with 762 assists and added 240 digs along with 43 aces.

Emma Hardman, Sr. OH, American Fork

Hardman went out strong her senior season, leading the Cavemen with 232 kills (2.3 per set), 79 aces and 235 digs.

Molly Keogh Jr. OH, Westlake

Keogh carried the offensive load for the Thunder with 230 kills (2.9 per set) and hit .225 along with serving 31 aces.

Kambri Kuhni, Jr. MB, Orem

Kuhni patrolled the middle for the Tigers all season, totaling 56 blocks and adding 184 kills (1.7 per set) while hitting .403.

Ava Napierski, Sr. MB, Orem

Napierski made herself right at home with the Tigers, hitting .458 on 218 kills (2.2 per set) while adding 30 blocks (12 solo). She’ll play her college ball at Utah State.

Hannah Olsen, Sr. OH, Pleasant Grove

Olsen finished the season with 243 kills (2.4 per set) and hit .294 with 50 aces, 43 blocks and 190 digs.

Sarah Page, So. S, Orem

Page directed the Tigers to a state 4A championship, dishing out 970 assists and adding 239 digs, 54 kills and 69 service aces.

Sam Pope, Jr. S, Lone Peak

Pope stepped in with a great junior year for the Knights, finishing with 609 assists, 233 digs 35 blocks and 84 kills from her setter position.

Ella Robbins, So. MB, Salem Hills

Robbins will be a terror in years to come for the Skyhawks and completed her sophomore season with 385 kills (3.7 per set) while hitting .391 and contributing 48 aces and 44 blocks.

Joa Roberts, Sr. MB, Provo

Roberts topped the Bulldogs with 334 kills (2.9 per set) and was a defensive presence with 114 total blocks.

Trinity Tien, Sr. L, Lone Peak

Tien’s consistency as a passer was critical to the Knights success with 342 digs and 480 service receptions (15 per match) while adding 29 service aces. She’s going to play at an Ivy League school (Cornell).

Jaiden Van Horn, Sr. OH/S, Salem Hills

Van Horn was one of the state’s most versatile players, finishing with 529 assists, 305 digs, 73 aces and 267 kills (2.7 per set) while hitting .255.

Kelly Wesley, Sr OH, Mountain View

Wesley led the Bruins in hitting with 377 kills (3.1 per set) and added 75 aces, 31 blocks and 280 digs to help her team post a 9-1 Region 8 mark, which included an upset of eventual state champion Orem.

Rachel Workman, Sr. RS, Maple Mountain

Workman was a huge part of the Golden Eagles state tournament run, finishing the season with 165 kills (1.8 per set) and hitting .270 with 40 blocks.

Second Team All-Valley

(In Alphabetical Order)

McKynzie Beddes, Jr., Lone Peak

Beddess proved to be a great option for the Knights, finishing with 220 kills (2.4 per set) while hitting .233 for the four-time state champions.

Brooke Bergeson, Jr. OH, Springville

Bergeson topped the Red Devils with 176 kills (1.7 per set) and also had 277 digs and 61 service aces.

Cassidy Brinton, Jr. L, Pleasant Grove

Brinton was terrific defensively for the Vikings, finishing with 380 digs, 104 assists and 64 aces as a junior.

Savanna Brotherson, Sr. MB, Mountain View

As a returning contributor, Brotherson stepped up to be a leader for a very young team that challenged Orem in the Region 8 with 162 kills (1.4 per set), 32 aces and 54 blocks.

Kali Carter, Jr. S, Provo

Carter’s role was huge in the Bulldogs season with 478 assists, 265 dig and 50 service aces.

Coco Denison, Jr. DS/L, Maple Mountain

Denison was the emotional charging point for the Golden Eagles and finished with 254 digs and 36 aces for the 5A state champs.

Daxlyn Gammell, Jr. DS/L, Salem Hills

Gammell’s defensive play was key for the Skyhawks, contributing 533 digs and 36 aces.

Reagan Johnson, Sr. OH, Cedar Valley

Johnson stepped up nicely for the Aviators with 230 kills (2.4 per set) and also contributed 210 digs.

Isabella Loftin, Jr. OH, Lehi

Loftin led the Pioneers in kills with 289 (2.7 per set) with 62 aces and 231 digs.

Nevaeh Magalei, Fr. OH, Provo

Magalei was one of the state’s top freshmen and finished with 228 kills (2.0 per set) to go along with 322 digs, 58 blocks and 44 aces.

Elle McCandless Sr. MH, Skyridge

McCandless was a menace at the net with 91 blocks while adding 35 aces and 108 kills (1.2 per set), hitting at a .317 clip.

Scarlett Page, So. DS/L, Orem

Page led the Tigers with 376 digs and also added 97 assists along with 45 aces.

Neriah Perez, Sr. OH, Skyridge

Perez contributed 203 kills (2.3 per set) and totaled 184 digs for the 6A runner-up Falcons.

Chevy Ann Peters, So. S, American Fork

Peters had a great first season as setter for the Cavemen, notching 605 assists and also logged 59 aces and 231 digs.

Eva Prior, So. MB, Spanish Fork

Prior was a big defensive strength for the Dons at the net, leading her team with 65 blocks while adding 135 kills (1.8 per set) and hitting .274.

Ella Richardson, So. S, Mountain View

Stepping into a starting setter role as a sophomore is a challenge but the talented Richardson made it look easy, totaling 877 assists, 55 aces, 99 kills, 43 blocks and 151 digs.

Presley Ryan, Sr. OH, Payson

Ryan totaled 281 kills (3.3 per set) and hit .280 with 42 aces and 38 blocks for the Lions.

Avrie Valgardson, Jr. S, Pleasant Grove

The feisty Valgardson directed the Vikings offensive attack with 917 assists and added 249 digs, 50 blocks and 97 kills.

Lauren Walters, Sr. MB, Pleasant Grove

Walters’ all around contribution is too good to ignore. She led the Vikings with 85 blocks and added 51 aces while hitting .268 on 186 kills (1.6 per set).

Maddie Webb, Sr. MB, Timpanogos

Webb was a terror at the net, finishing with 118 blocks while adding 103 kills for the Timberwolves.

Honorable Mention All-Valley

(In Alphabetical Order)

American Fork: Shayla Clayton, Deizha Fielding, Sabrina Hansen, Emmy Harris, Kora Kennington.

Cedar Valley: Austin Espersen, Olivia Finau, Abby Monahan, Destiny Postak.

Lehi: Alexis Atkin, Kodi Brems, T’Kyia Brewer, Brylee Earl, Irene Susanna.

Lone Peak: Greta Brown, Ava Burgess, Devyn Nifo, Neveah Tien.

Mountain View: Jaycee Carlson, Ava Eudis, Talia Quinn, Berkley Richards, Keilani Wesley.

Orem: Haven Michaelis, Ashley Scott.

Payson: Quincey Matthews, Averie Roundy, Chesnie Roundy, Taryn Wimmer.

Provo: Kea Hopoate, Aneia Kalama, Skylee-Rogue Savini, Lilly Tuinei.

Maple Mountain: Addie Hakes, Leah Hawkins, Amarie Huntsman, Kayla Marshall, Hadley Maughan, Jaynee Tanner.

Pleasant Grove: Addisyn Beck, Aleah McDaniel, Taytum Nelson.

Salem Hills: Rubee Anderson, Skye Sampson, Dahlia Swenson.

Spanish Fork: Kennedy Christensen, Sarah Meservey, Brooklyn Redd, Kaidance Williams, Alyia Worthen.

Springville: Jayne Allen, Francesca Campbell, Ella Child, Hannah Child, Natalie Florence, Brynlee Johnson, Lilian Miller.

Skyridge: Isabella Freeman, Taylah Kaufusi, Jasmine Mataira, Mary Nahinu.

Timpanogos: Kelci Gingras, Sophie Hammond, Hannah Seaman.

Timpview: Samara Hopoate, Alycia Maae, Shay Pope, Madeline Van Brederode, Abigail Vera, Shea Wairepo.

Wasatch: Haylee Allen, Lauren Hoffman, Amber Johnson, Elise Zollinger, Juliette Zollinger.

Westlake: Lilian Boston, Ana Jorgensen, Paige McKenzie, Rian McKenzie, Ashlyn Robbins.

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