Second-seeded Green Canyon finishes strong with a 3-1 win over No. 1 Orem | News, Sports, Jobs

Darnell Dickson, Daily Herald

The last time Orem and Green Canyon met in girls volleyball, the Tigers roared, swept the Wolves off the court and claimed the 2023 4A state title.

On Tuesday it was Green Canyon’s turn to celebrate.

The No. 2 Wolves (in 4A) lost the first set thanks to the powerful hitting of sophomore Audrey White, but made the right plays at the end of sets 2, 3 and 4 to earn a 3-1 (18-25, 25-22, 25-23, 27-25) victory over first-place Team Orem.

“There were a lot of chances and we just failed to capitalize on the opportunities that were presented to us,” Tigers coach Bill Sefita said. “Green Canyon was a tough serving team. They were combative and could take the ball. We have strong hitters, but they were just good at creating the ball and killing it against us.”

After splitting the first two sets, Orem dominated the middle of the third set and took a 17-11 lead when Haven Michaelis scored a kill. Green Canyon rallied and tied the set at 20-20. It was tied at 23-23 when the Wolves’ Charlie Monson served two consecutive aces for a 25-23 win and a 2-1 lead in the match.

Darnell Dickson, Daily Herald

Orem controlled the fourth set, leading 15-10 after an ace from Sarah Page. But Green Canyon, as they had done all night, responded to the adversity. Kambri Kuhni’s ace put the Tigers up 21-18, but the Wolves tied the set with a roll shot from White to make it 21-21. A defensive error from Orem gave Green Canyon a match point at 24-23. The Tigers managed to hold on, fending off two match points, but the Wolves eventually won when Orem’s defense failed to launch a Green Canyon attack.

“I think one of the core values ​​here in Orem is to develop resilience,” Sefita said. “This is one of those good games. As a coach, it’s always good to experience that pressure early on because it helps the younger players build up and also helps the older girls teach them how to guide them a little bit more. That way, when it’s your time to step up, you’re ready.”

Green Canyon took an 11-8 lead in the first set, but Orem caught up and took a 14-12 lead after kills from Callie Eudis, Haven Michaelis and Sophie Campbell. Green Canyon got within 18-17 after a White attack, but the Tigers took control and went on a 7-1 run. Freshman Madi Scott brought Orem to set point with a swing and Kuhni scored the deciding goal for a 25-18 win.

The Tigers led 18-15 in the second set after an ace from Scarlett Page, but Green Canyon was up to the challenge. With the score tied at 22-22, the Wolves scored the final three points, including a big combo block from Elly Giordano and Ashlynn Nitzel. After a long struggle on set point, White hit the winner to give Green Canyon a 25-22 win and tie the game at 1-1. That gave the Wolves the momentum they needed to take the away win.

The Tigers, who finished 27-6 last season, are adjusting to life without top hitter and four-year starter Sami Blackett (now at Utah Valley) and middle blocker Ava Napierski (Utah State). The Page sisters (setter Sarah and libero Scarlett) return this season, along with sophomores Michaelis and Sophie Campbell and Kuhni, a senior who all played on the state championship team. Two talented freshmen, Eudis and Scott, are learning their roles as the Tigers face a difficult preseason schedule.

Darnell Dickson, Daily Herald

“We’re a young team and it’s early in the preseason,” Sefita said. “There’s a lot to learn. It’s hard for the newbies to adjust and handle the pressure. Considering we’re the defending state champions, we have to be mindful of how it was last year. We have to figure out how to find our own names and put our own names on the court. We’re a good team. We’re looking for those little things, that team dynamic that we can build and continue to work on.”

Orem (2-1) has another tough game at 6A Bingham on Thursday, while Green Canyon (6-0) hosts Morgan.

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