Taylorsville volleyball seeks to fulfill potential

Just when it seems Taylorsville High’s volleyball team is on the verge of becoming a legitimate state contender, something happens and the Warriors slip down the charts.

Considered the favorite to win Region 2, Taylorsville hopes not to disappoint again.

Meanwhile, crosstown rival Kearns, which is expected to challenge for the region championship and contend for the state championship as well, has started the season 4-6 overall.

Taylorsville

The Warriors were swept by Lehi and Pleasant Grove in their first two non-region matches, but rebounded with victories over Brighton (3-0), Bingham (3-1) and Sky View (2-0). The trio of setter Triniti Taylor, outside hitter Sam Staker and Maia Sears have combined to lead the way.

Taylor dished out 28 assists and Staker and Sears combined for 23 kills in the loss to Lehi. Taylor came back with 20 assists, Staker had 10 kills and Sears and Tasia Taylor each had nine kills, but the Warriors (3-2) were swept again, this time by Pleasant Grove.

Taylorsville defeated Brighton 25-9, 25-12, 25-15 before downing former region rival Bingham 25-13, 25-21, 23-25, 25-19. Staker had 23 kills against Bingham while Tasia Taylor had 16 kills and Triniti Taylor contributed 45 assists for the Warriors.

The Sky View match was part of the Lone Peak Tournament. The Warriors, who placed seventh at state last year and finished 13-9 overall, were scheduled to open Region 2 competition at Granger on Sept. 13 and against Hunter on Sept. 15.

Kearns

The Cougars were hoping to carry over last year’s success, but have started 4-6, including a 3-4 record in the Labor Day Classic at Bingham High. Kearns lost four starters from last year’s 15-13 team that went 1-2 at state, defeating Hunter and losing to Davis and Taylorsville.

Kearns defeated Cottonwood (2-1), Salem Hills (2-0) and Olympus (2-0) and lost to Mountain View (2-1), Northridge (2-0), Pleasant Grove (2-0) and West Jordan (2-0) at the Labor Day Classic. The Cougars have also defeated Logan (3-0) and lost to Stansbury (3-2) and West Jordan (3-1) thus far.

Hannah Allred and Brenna DeYoung combined for 25 kills in the loss to Stansbury. Outside hitter Tala Faumui had 11 kills and BYU basketball commit Micaelee Orton had seven blocks in the victory over Logan (28-26, 25-21, 25-15). Kearns defeated Cottonwood 25-21, 21-25, 15-7, Salem Hills 25-23, 25-23, and Olympus 25-20, 25-22 for its other victories this season.

The Cougars planned to open region play at West on Sept. 13 and Granger on Sept. 15.