The Alta girls volleyball team wants to build on the momentum is generated late last season. 

Last season, the Hawks had an up-and-down regular season, going 15-14. However, the team caught fire in the Class 5A state tournament by advancing to the state semifinals. The Hawks eventually claimed fourth place at state and finished the year with a 19-15 mark. 

Head coach Sara Kane is confident her team can replicate—if not exceed—what it did a year ago.

“I expect that we'll have a pretty successful season,” she said. “We're hoping to have a deep run in the state tournament like we did last year.”

Alta began the 2024 season with a 5-2 record, beginning with a hard-fought 3-2 win over Box Elder on Aug. 15. The other six matches took place at the Las Vegas Invitational, Aug. 23-24. At the tournament, Alta defeated Del Sol, Nevada, 2-0; Boise, Idaho, 2-1; Immanuel, California, 2-0; and Elko, Nevada, 2-0. The Hawks fell to El Dorado, California, 2-1, and to Arbor View, Nevada, 2-0. 

Kane is encouraged by what she has seen in the first handful of matches. She believes the girls’ efforts and resilience are good indications that good things are in store for the team this season. 

“We are a team that strives to have grit, and when the going gets tough just dig in and work hard,” Kane said. “As far as first impressions go, I believe if we are able to continue building on what we accomplished [in the early part of the season], we will have a successful season.”

Though the Hawks finished fourth in state last season, they were just third in Region 6 with a 7-5 mark. Kane hopes her team will move up the standings this year, which could give Alta more favorable postseason matchups. Kane also wants to see improvement on the court in specific areas. 

“We have a goal to place third or higher in our region and go into the state tournament with a high seeding,” she said. “We also have a few skill-specific goals regarding our passing and serving.”

While it’s also nice to have a senior-laden team, Kane’s Hawks have some younger players at the forefront. These talented underclassmen have already contributed to the team in previous seasons and still have more time left to play for Alta beyond this year. Junior Brook Ridge, an outside hitter, has stood out this season as a player and leader. Another junior outside hitter, Catherine Brinkman, stepped up her game in the state tournament last season and has been outstanding so far in 2024. Libero Madison White, another junior, was a defensive specialist last season and has been a consistent player for Alta. 

“[Ridge] matured a lot as a player last year, and we look forward to what success she can lead our team to this year,” Kane said. “[Brinkman] was a key part of our success in the state tournament last year, and we are excited to see what she will contribute this year. [White] is ready to step into the role of a libero this year. She is rock steady and a calming presence to our team on the court.”

Kane also loves the play of senior Gracie Johnson, a setter who started at that position last season. Kane said she works as the “quarterback of the team.”

Though the Hawks brought back some key players from last season, there are some new faces, too. The team is learning how to build team cohesion and play well as a group. Kane is impressed with the teamwork the Hawks have displayed. She said that will need to continue if the team is to reach its goals this season. 

“While we have a lot of kids returning, we definitely have a new group with new dynamics,” Kane said. “In order for us to be successful this year, we are going to need to learn how to gel together as a group again. Our chemistry as a team will be the most integral part of our success.”

There is no substitute for experience at the varsity level in high school sports. Kane believes her team will have some advantages in matches this season. Another attribute she believes the Hawks have is the players’ relentlessness, as well as their commitment to working hard. 

“We have some athletes who have played at a really high level already. We are also a really scrappy team who work really hard to wear out the teams we face. One of our goals is to be the hardest working team in the gym.”

Region 6 features some excellent teams, including some new foes that Alta hasn’t seen much of in past years. Kane said these teams run a fast-paced offense that can be difficult to defend. The Hawks will go up against Skyline, West, East, Brighton, Highland and Olympus in Region 6 play. The first region match is Sept. 5 at home against Highland. Alta will go up against each region opponent two times, concluding with an Oct. 29 matchup with Olympus at home. The state tournament will be Nov. 7-8 at Utah Valley University. 

Kane is now in her second year as Alta coach. She and her players have become acclimated with one another, and Kane couldn’t be happier with her job. 

“This group is so much fun to work with,” Kane said. “Last year was all about getting to know the athletes and them getting to know me as their new coach and how I do things. This year, we all know each other pretty well, and it's just fun all the time. They know when it's time to work hard versus when they can goof around. This group is full of good students and good humans, and they are just kind and welcoming to our new kids.” λ