Alta starts out strong in volleyball seaso

Returning just two varsity players could spell trouble for a high school volleyball team. But the inexperience hasn’t seemed to bother the Alta Hawks.

“We are a young team, especially compared to other teams in our region,” Alta coach Mike Gansauge said. “But we just might have a more athletic team than we had last year.”

Alta completed the 2010 campaign with an eighth place finish at the state 5A tournament. The Hawks then lost four starters, all of whom are now playing at the collegiate level.

But instead of looking at a rebuilding year, Alta has simply gone out and proved they can play with just about anybody. The Hawks beat state favored Bingham, 3-2, in a preseason match up Aug. 31 on their way to a 9-2 record midway through the season.

Leading the way for Alta are senior returning players Challie Mitchell and Sydney Marchant. Both player outside hitter, a new position for Sandy’s Mitchell.

“Mitchell is our vocal leader on the team,” Gansauge said. “She is a very smart player who understands the game very well.”

Getting playing time in the middle are Hailey Peterson, Danielle Emery and Lexie Hunt. And Gansauge has found two girls, Tiara Gonzales and Paige Beckstrom, to take the important libero position.

A libero is a back row specialist, never rotating to the front row or serving. The libero will come in for the server after a serve; then rotate across the back row. Once her rotation takes her to the front, she is replaced for one series; then comes back in along the back row again.

What Gonsauge likes most about this team is its cohesiveness. He likes how the team has come together this year.

“We are on the scrappy side,” he said. “And very much a team. The girls fight for each other. They can get behind in points and not worry. They will fight their way through and usually get a comeback win.”

But the Hawks know they have a tough road in Region 3. At least three other teams can take the region title and keep the Hawks from advancing.

“Brighton is always a good team,” Gonsauge said. “Cottonwood always puts a good team together and Jordan has a lot of experienced players back for this year. The region will be tough.”

The Hawks entered region play Sept. 13 with a home match with Copper Hills. They played again Thursday, Sept. 15 at Brighton. Neither game was available at press time.