Carbon shows courage in making finals

While three teams tied for second place, going undefeated and winning the Region 8 title outright was a coup for the Carbon Dinos. Making it to the state finals was an even bigger achievement.

"I think our season was just about as good as it can get," Carbon head coach Cristen Johnson said. "We finished with a great game, a great battle, and my girls gave everything they had. I can't complain."

The Dinos decimated the competition en route to the state final, defeating Logan and Uintah in three straight and Hurricane in four. In the final, they ran into a tough Morgan team, which resulted in a hard-hitting, evenly matched showdown, with the Trojans eking out the five-game 31-29, 21-25, 25-18, 23-25, 15-8 win.

The Dinos only lose three seniors to graduation, but all three were vital to this year's team success. Outside hitter and academic all-stater Megan Garvin had 23 kills in the championship match alone, Whitney Oliver played through pain to help the team the latter part of the season, and Erica Potts was the team's workhorse.

"Garvin was the overall leader and the best offensive and defensive player on our team," Johnson said. "Oliver tore 90 percent of her ACL halfway through region and the other 10 percent in the Hurricane game at state. She's one of the most courageous players I've ever had. Potts gave 100 percent every time, whether in practice or in a game."

Even losing three important elements to this year's success, with setter Julia Potts, outside hitter Britni Greenwood and libero Brittney Gustas all returning, the Carbon Dinos still expect to get right back to the big game next year.

"We need to find a few key people, but things look good," Johnson said.

With three teams, the Delta Rabbits, the Juan Diego Soaring Eagle and the North Sanpete Hawks, tied for second place, a coin toss determined who went into state in what position. The Rabbits won the toss, going in as the second-place team, Juan Diego went as the third-place team, and North Sanpete went in fourth.

As the second seed, the Rabbits tore through state, surprising many along the way.

"We made huge improvements over the beginning of the year and made it further than anyone expected us to," Delta head coach Deb Jenkins said. "My younger kids really showed up at state."