Both the Mountain View and Timpanogos girls volleyball programs sent talented seniors off into the world after last season. The Bruins advanced all the way to the 5A finals before falling to Timpview and the Timberwolves finished in 7th place at state.

Both teams have young but energetic newcomers who are figuring things out.

On Tuesday, the two city rivals battled into a fifth set, Timpanogos rallying from a 2-0 deficit to force the extra play. Mountain View played clean volleyball in Set No. 5 ended up on top 3-2 (25-19, 25-19, 23-25, 19-25, 15-9).

Bruins coach Dave Neeley said he’s run 22 different lineups this season as he gets his youngsters coached up.

Darnell Dickson, Daily Herald

“We’re just trying to see what works,” Neeley said. “It’s exciting to be on the different end of the expectations that we’ve had in the past.”

What worked against Timpanogos was a balanced offense, with Kelly Wesley (14 kills), Berkley Richards (13), Ava Eudis (11) and Samantha Brotherson (10) all getting good swings. Timpanogos, led by the defensive play of setter Hannah Seaman, the blocking of Maddie Webb and strong offense from Kelci Gingras, won the next two to get to the fifth set.

“Going into the fifth set, I told them, ‘All 12 of you are going to learn a lot about yourselves right now. It’s not up to anyone but you,'” Neeley said. “We got down 4-0 but after that there were a lot more smiles and excitement and positivity. We need that all the time, because we’re a good team and I think we’re learning that one day at a time.”

The Bruins tied up the fifth set 5-5 and steadily pulled away, taking advantage of some Timpanogos errors and steadying their own play. A kill from Wesley gave Mountain View a 12-9 lead, and an ace from JC Carlson — one of six aces for the sophomore — made it match point at 14-9. A Timpanogos error finished it off and the Bruins earned the victory.

Timpanogos fell behind early in Set 1 and managed to close to 20-18 but Talia Quinn scored on a crafty dump to get momentum back on Mountain View’s side. Back-to-back aces from Carlson finished off the set for a 25-19 Bruins win.

Darnell Dickson, Daily Herald

Richardson’s serving put Mountain View out in front in Set 2, with a pair of aces leading to a 14-8 advantage. Once again, Timpanogos fought back, rallying from a 19-12 deficit to close to 20-18 on a solo block by Seaman. Wesley got hot and pounded consecutive kills to get to set point. Eduis got the winning swing for a 25-19 victory and a 2-0 lead in the match.

Timpanogos rebounded to dominate Set 3, keeping the Bruins off-balance with strong serving and getting out to a 19-10 lead on the strength of a Webb kill. Mountain View roared back into the set and tied it up at 23-all. Sophie Hammond tooled a shot off the Bruins block to get to set point and then tipped the ball for a point on the next serve for a 25-23 Timpanogos win.

Mountain View took an 8-5 lead in Set 4 but Timpanogos found a good rhythm at the service line and went on a big run, taking a 20-13 lead on a Bruin error. An ace from Jayci Elies got the Timberwolves to set point at 24-17. Gingras got the winner on a hard swing for the 25-19 win, forcing a fifth and final set.

Mountain View (3-4 overall, 2-0 Region 8) makes the long trip to Vernal for a match against Uintah on Thursday and will play in the prestigious Durango Classic in Nevada later this month.

“Our strength of schedule is crazy,” Neeley said. “At Durango they have us matched up with a top five team in the country. So we’re 3-4 but who cares? We’re getting better.”

Darnell Dickson, Daily Herald

Timpanogos (6-12 overall, 0-1 Region 8) will be at home on Thursday against Orem.

Mountain View's Berkley Richards, right, takes a swing against Timpanogos during a high school girls volleyball match on Tuesday, September 12, 2023.

Maddie Webb of Timpanogos, left, blocks at the net during a high school girls volleyball match against Mountain View on Tuesday, September 12, 2023.

Maddie Webb, left, and her Timpanogos teammates celebrate a point during a high school girls volleyball match against Mountain View on Tuesday, September 12, 2023.

Member of the Mountain View girls volleyball team celebrate an ace serve during a match against Timpanogos on Tuesday, September 12, 2023.

Mountain View's Jaycee Carlson, center, passes the ball during a high school girls volleyball match against Timpanogos on Tuesday, September 12, 2023.

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

Fynley Schoonover of Timpanogos, right, passes the ball during a high school girls volleyball match against Mountain View on Tuesday, September 12, 2023.