Bengals used to pressure

Pressure is an interesting thing. Sometimes it brings out the best in a team. Other times, it exposes its cracks.

The Brighton Bengals' volleyball team is no stranger to pressure. Every year it has been among the state's favorites, and a title a realistic goal. Two years ago, it finished second to Lone Peak and last year the Bengals finished third after losing in the semifinals to eventual champion Pleasant Grove.

"There is tons of pressure on them," said Brighton coach Jeremiah Larsen. "This year is no different than every other since I've been there."

Larsen hopes this year's pressure exposes the squad's confidence and maturity.

Brighton was voted the state's top 5A team in preseason polls because it returns most of its starters, including nationally ranked outside hitter Krista Kelley. She's verbally committed to Santa Clara University and has been the centerpiece of the Bengals' offense for the last two years. But just because the Bengals boast one of the best players in the country doesn't mean they're a one-woman team.

"Most people think Krista is the only girl on this team," said Larsen. In addition to Kelley, the Bengals have one of the most effective right-side hitters in Cassandra Ricketts, and an aggressive libero in Leah Dangerfield. With 6-foot-1 setter Missy White at the helm of a tall, talented offense, the options are nearly limitless for the Bengals, who won the Tournament of Champions for the second year in a row.

This year the Bengals are looking to do what they couldn't in the two previous years. And while they may feel that desire more urgently as Kelley and Ricketts are seniors, they have played with tremendous pressure and expectations the last three seasons.

Pleasant Grove may be the defending 5A champion, but most of the preseason hype and pressure seems to be surrounding Brighton. That didn't bother the Vikings much as they tried to figure out their identity in the season's opening contests.

The Vikings have a new coach and mostly new starters, but they've shown the same winning ways in the season's early weeks. Pleasant Grove coach Mandi Nutall said the team is finding its own identity in the wake of that state title.

"We're realizing we've got to be our own team and not last year's team," she said. "I'm glad we're doing it so early in the season."