Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes
OREM — Volleyball is a game of runs; and in the 3A state title, that was the case between Canyon View and Richfield.
After a back-and-forth, run-after-run matchup, No. 1 Canyon View completed its excellent season to claim the 3A state title with a 3-1 win for the first time in program history.
"I absolutely adore these girls and the personal work they put in," head coach Lynette Whittaker said. "They bought into a program that we presented that was all about family and next-ball mentality. They embraced it and let it shine."
Canyon View did it in four sets, winning 25-17, 16-25, 25-23, 25-20, but the win didn't come as easy as expected.
In the first set, Canyon View opened on a 6-2 run, prompting an early timeout for Richfield. The Falcons, who traveled all the way from Cedar City, used an electric and well-traveled crowd to boost them in the match.
The 6-2 run blossomed into a 12-2 run, backed by strong serving from junior Jaci Wright, who forced two service errors and had an ace in the run.
But the Wildcats fought back, and Richfield turned a 12-2 deficit into a 21-17 deficit, forcing Canyon View to call a timeout.
The timeout allowed the Falcons to calm its nerves and win the next 4 points to take the first set 25-17, but maybe not as forceful as it had hoped.
For the Wildcats, the second set started hot. Richfield opened on a 9-3 run, using some of its momentum from the first half run. After extending the lead to 17-7, the Falcons called its second timeout of the set, continuing to put the pressure on the No. 1 seed.
The pressure increased.
The Falcons closed the set in dominating fashion, winning 25-16 to even up the set score.
The third set proved to be much more competitive, with both teams trading blows. Canyon View held a 13-9 lead before Richfield called a timeout.
The Falcons would continue to grow its lead, quickly jumping to a 19-12 lead thanks in part to consistent attacking errors by the Wildcats. During the 7-3 run, Richfield committed four errors, giving the Falcons its lead.
But like the first set, the Wildcats fought back. Richfield would go on a massive 8-2 run to close the gap, pressuring Canyon View to take a timeout with a 21-20 lead.
Thankfully for the Falcons, they were able to hold on to win the third set 25-23 after a crucial service error by Richfield.
The fourth set started similar to the third, both teams going back-and-forth. Still, Canyon View held the lead for most of it before expanding to a 14-11 lead.
Falcon junior Kambree Potter, who had been excellent for the entreity of the game, started to take over.
Potter's big arm proved to be trouble for the Wildcats as any dig attempt would thwart a chance at a kill. With Potter's arm, the Wildcats would not be prepared when she would softly hit the ball for finesse, rather then power.
"I try really hard to just think 'next ball' if I make an error, I just play the next ball," Potter said. "We need to stay hungry, and grind all summer. We have got to get back-to-back, never settle."
When Potter was rotated out, sophomore Kiersten Attig would use her arm to attack the Wildcats, closing in on the state title.
Finally, the Falcons got some wiggle room.
Climbing to a 23-18 lead, the Falcons used their lead to soar over the Wildcats in the fourth set, claiming the 3A state title.
"We all play volleyball for fun. We all started when we were little because we love the sport. There is no point in getting mad at yourself. Just play and have fun."
Whittaker credited Potter, saying: "She just wants to be out there on the court. She just goes to work and you can see it in her. She is smart, she knows when to put it away, she just has that volleyball IQ."
In regards to going back-to-back, Whittaker said its one day at a time. "I tell these girls 'one point at a time' so we will take it one day at a time, but I am excited for next season."
The Falcons, who lose just three seniors this year, will be a force to reckon with as they look to go back-to-back in 2025.
