High school volleyball: Parity abounds for Region 7 spikers
Last season there were five teams at the top trying to steal matches and games from each other, trying to snag a piece of the region trophy and a shot at a place in the state tourney. This season the top group might be pared down to four, but don't tell that to the other three teams vying to grab a spot in the 4A playoffs.
No, this region didn't turn many heads during the 4A state tournament last season as only one team even finished in the top eight with Springville snaring the final place at the tournament with an even-par two wins and two losses at the Utah Valley site. But the entire group is hoping to change not only the state's perception of them as a whole but also their success in the playoffs this season.
Perhaps the best way to do that will be for the Orem Tigers to come out roaring and head into the tourney with plenty of confidence. Yes, the Tigers are the team to beat according to Region 7 foes, who say Orem won it last year and lost a mere two players from its championship team.
She admits that Region 7 is always closely matched and competitive, and could always be anybody's year, though most of the coaches in the region agree the top four programs this season hail from Orem, Springville, Provo and Mountain View.
"I'm just excited for a fun year. These girls are serious athletes, and they want to go out there and take care of business," added Kidman, who noted that her team's depth this season will only make her team that much better than it was in last year's championship year.
Though they went into the tournament as the Region 7 champs, the Tigers fell apart at state with two quick losses. Kidman is hoping they'll be able to reverse that trend this year.
She'll be counting heavily on outside hitters April Robins and Ella Moe, who both played plenty of minutes last season. And perhaps the biggest improvement has been shown by sophomore phenom Hannah Robison, who showed potential last year as a freshman but was rather tentative at times.
After an off season in club ball, that cautiousness has turned into tenacity, and Robison is already proving herself a tough opponent from the right side.
Temeeka Jones, Kaysie Taylor and Sarah Hansen will be manning the middle, while Shelby Lamoreaux and Elisha Le have things covered at setter. Rylee Robinson will take care of business in the back court from the libero spot. Many players on the team are versatile and will be switching positions as the season progresses.
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