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Graydon Fleitas throws down a kill over the defense during quarterfinal action of the 5A state championships on Wednesday. May 6, 2026

Harold Mitchell, Special to the Daily Herald

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Nathan Burton and JJ Serre combine to block a kill attempt during quarterfinal action of the 5A state championships on Wednesday. May 6, 2026

Harold Mitchell, Special to the Daily Herald

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Wasatch's Nathan Burton and Tyler Roach attempt to block a kill during 5A state quarterfinal action on Wednesday. May 6, 2026

Harold Mitchell, Special to the Daily Herald

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Salem Hills' Axel Bonnell rises over the net to throw down a kill during 5A state quarterfinal action on Wednesday. May 6, 2026

Harold Mitchell, Special to the Daily Herald

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Pleasant Grove's Aki Malietoa throws down a kill during his team's loss to Salem Hill during the 5A state tournament on Wednesday. May 6, 2026

Harold Mitchell, Special to the Daily Herald

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Maple Mountain's Sol Krommenhoek rises above the net during his team's win over Clearfield on Wednesday. May 6, 2026

Harold Mitchell, Special to the Daily Herald

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Maple Mountain's Jaiden Goodman combines for a block during quarterfinal action of the 5A state championships on Wednesday.

Harold Mitchell, Special to the Daily Herald

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Spanish Fork's Preston Hupp throws down a kill versus West Jordan during 5A state tournament action on Wednesday. May 6, 2026

Harold Mitchell, Special to the Daily Herald

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With match point in the balance of Wasatch boys volleyball’s quarterfinal matchup with Brighton on Wednesday, Wasp senior Chase Billeter utilized some skills more commonly associated with soccer.

The Wasps were leading the third set 24-17, when Billeter almost casually stuck his foot out to receive an errant bump from one of his teammate’s that appeared likely to headed for the ground and a point for the Bengals. But not only did Billeter effectively loft the ball up with his foot, it came off almost perfectly just above the net, with Wasatch senior JJ Serre spiking it down with as much authority as he had all day.

Point, set and match to the Wasps.

“It went right up to JJ, and he took care of business,” Wasatch coach Mike Wilton said. “Chase is a little bit more hesitant to get on the floor and dive for it, so he reverts to the foot a lot more than everyone else.”

“It was an amazing way to end it,” Serre added.

The point topped off a resounding straight set with for the Wasps (25-16, 25-16, 25-17) in which they were rarely seriously challenged, much like the score would indicate.

Everyone involved hit for a high percentage with Billeter’s 16 kills leading the way while Grant Hansen and Serre added 12 and 10 kills, respectively.

“We’ve got some heavy hitters, right?”, Wilton asked rhetorically. “That’s a given, (but) they’ve worked really hard to be that way.”

All of those heavy hits were on full display all day Wednesday, although it wasn’t just about the thundering kill thrown down over the net. Wilton was quick to point out his team’s play in all facets of the game, mindful that it will take everything to win the ultimate goal of a state championship.

“Taking (big swings is) not always going to get it done because a lot of times it comes with some risks that we’re not wanting to take because they want to hit hard all the time,” he said. “We’ve got to know when it makes sense to take those risks and really hit a hard ball or when it makes sense to just put it into play. That’s been something we’ve been working on all season long. I know you want to hit hard, want to make an amazing play, but we’ve got a really big block, we’ve got a good defense … So don’t take those risks necessarily. So it’s a struggle finding that balance sometimes.”

But the balance seemed on point throughout Wasatch’s quarterfinal win and certainly during its morning win versus Skyline in the second round.

“The boys just did a great job and it’s tough because we don’t know a lot about Brighton,” Wilton said. ” … I feel like if we can just be smart with our decisions, we’re a really tough team to beat.”

With the win Wasatch advances to the semifinal round where it will take on Olympus.

Maple Mountain advances with straight-set victories

Perhaps no team understands how to win volleyball championships than two-time defending state champion Maple Mountain, and on Wednesday, it showed.

The Golden Eagles didn’t drop of set, dispatching of Clearfield in the second round before doing likewise to Spanish Fork (25-15, 25-19, 25-21.)

“I think my team is just so hungry for another opportunity and we’re just so grateful to be in a situation where we can compete and go on a run for another championship,” said Maple Mountain coach Napoleon Galang. “We preach family in our program and at any point we put in multiple different people from our bench and they’ve been able to score points for us at any point. So I think just a whole team effort outside of our starting six has been a huge factor in our success.”

Indeed being able to rely on a deep bench can play a huge factor during the volleyball championships, where teams are tasked to play four matches in two days to win a state title. No one is aware of the grind perhaps more than Galang, who was coached his teams all the way through over the past two seasons.

But as is often the case, it’s the team seniors and captains providing the lead for everyone involved.

I’m just really thankful for our captains on the court, Matt (Borges), Taft (Hillman) and McKay (Beattie) for just leading this team,” Galang said. “We’re an inexperienced team outside of those guys .”

With the win Maple Mountain will match up versus Viewmont in the semifinal round on Thursday.

Second Round Games

No. 12 Salem Hills defeats No. 5 Pleasant Grove, 3-0 (28-26, 27-25, 25-19): Salem Hills pulled off the biggest upset in the second round of the 5A boys volleyball playoffs when it swept fellow Region 7 rival Pleasant Grove 3-0. The Vikings beat the Skyhawks twice in league play by 3-1 scores but the Skyhawks came out ready to play and immediately put the Vikings on their heels. 

Outside hitter Eli Baldwin had some big swings while middle blocker Ari Kendall dominated the middle. Kooper Stewart and Tanner Huff also gave great offensive support and setter Talon Roberts set up his hitters well throughout the contest. Meanwhile, libero Axel Bonner shined in the backrow for the Skyhawks. 

No. 11 Spanish Fork defeats No. 6 West Jordan, 3-0 (25-14, 25-20, 25-20): Rival Salem Hills wasn’t the only valley team to pull off a major upset as Spanish Fork swept past West Jordan 3-0. Spanish Fork had plenty of players get into the action as Alec Bluth, Preston Hupp, Boston Alletto, Mason Swenson, Sam Cook, and Teagan Patten had plenty of great swings while middle blocker Ethan Apsley monitored the middle. 

No. 3 Maple Mountain defeats Clearfield, 3-0 (25-10, 25-15, 25,-15): Led by the ferocious hitting of Sol Krommenhoek, Matheus Borges and Kai Dirkmaat, along with the stellar defense of libero McKay Beattie, the Golden Eagles hammered Clearfield.

No. 8 Brighton defeats No. 9 Springville, 3-2 (17-25, 28-26, 25-14, 13-25, 17-15): As one might expect in a match between the eight and nine seeds, it came down to the wire but the Bengals ended up prevailing, winning a hard fought final set 17-15.

No. 1 Wasatch defeats No. 16 Skyline, 3-0 (25-16, 25-22, 25-23)