Taylorsville volleyball plagued by inconsistency

TAYLORSVILLE — It was a topsy turvy season for Taylorsville's Rich Kaelin and his girl's volleyball team. The Warriors just couldn't ever get in sync.

"It was up and down, up and down, all season long," said Kaelin. After finishing in third place in Region 2, perhaps the first round at the state tournament epitomized the entire season.

Taylorsville took the first two games against Hunter, but then lost three straight. "I don't know, maybe we got a little cocky," said Kaelin.

Then the Warriors really went flat and laid an egg against Northridge bouncing them out of the tournament.

Earlier in the year, the Warriors lost in five games to mighty Lone Peak. "We lost five matches this year when we were leading in the fourth game," said Kaelin, who added that the Warriors didn't have a lot of experience and maybe more importantly only two players on the team participated in club volleyball.

Senior Kim Gourley and junior Brita Noble were the club players and Gourley's season mirrored the whole team's inconsistent play. "She had a bad back," said Kaelin. "She could only play on days when it felt OK."

Another blow dealt to the team was when four starters from last year who were expected to return, didn't come back for various reasons. So when Kaelin talks about next year's team and says, "I hope they all come back," he isn't kidding.

Besides Gourly, Cyd Allen, Merisha Black and Marqui Gray graduate. "They all did incredible jobs," said Kaelin.

Returning will be Noble who is a gamer. She tore a calf muscle in practice the day before the state tournament and still managed to play. She averaged 20 kills per game her last five games including the last two at state.

Returning to set her plate will be sophomore Ashlee Aloi who hoisted up 53 assists in her last game.

Middle blocker Micaela Seaman, another sophomore will return with substantial experience. Junior Athena Mauga is described by Kaelin as an incredible athlete who can jump up and grab the rim in basketball. She plays on the Warrior basketball team and that may put her in the category of one of those players that he hopes will come back.

"She came out this year because I asked her," said Kaelin. "She is versatile and can play multiple positions."

At 6 feet, she could obviously be a force in the middle.

Kaelin is also looking at a freshman to be for next year. Sam Staker is an eighth grader who plays club volleyball and he says about her: "She will be a great player."

Although his team's inexperience was probably more of a factor in losing all the close games than anything else, Kaelin wanted to commend them. He said, "I'm proud of the girls sticking through all the adversity and staying competitive."

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