5A volleyball tournament: Davis claims first title in 36 years

OREM — The last time Lori Salvo was dressed in brown and cradling a state championship trophy she was a teenager.

More than three decades later, the Davis High head volleyball coach led her alma mater to its first state title since she won the championship as a senior in 1975.

"Davis hasn't won the state title since then," she said wiping away tears after the Darts swept Lehi 25-17, 25-17, 25-19 to win the 5A state volleyball title at the UCCU Events Center Saturday night. "I'm so proud of my girls. I think we just got better and better."

Salvo had retired from coaching and was teaching at Viewmont, where she won two volleyball titles, when she was enticed back into the game by the school she'd played for as a girl. She knew this year's team had the ability to win a state championship, but the season was filled with inconsistencies, doubt and some disappointing losses.

The most jarring was a region loss to Fremont.

"In the beginning, we went from hearing that Davis was all that, and then we lost to Fremont," said Richins. "It humbled us. We didn't underestimate anyone from that moment on. We wanted this so bad."

Losing to Fremont at the beginning of region play did more than humble the Darts. It literally changed the way the Darts played the game. Instead of relying on one setter to run the offense, Salvo convinced junior outside hitter Camille Walker to turn herself into a setter so she could run a 6-2 offense, which utilizes two setters to run the offense.

"Halfway through the season, I knew I needed to get her hands on the ball more," said Salvo. "You just want your best players to touch the ball as much as possible."

Despite the fact that Walker had never set before this season, she put in a little extra time and it made a huge difference in the team's ability to keep defenses guessing.

"It was really scary because I've never set before," said Walker, a junior. "It totally changed things, but we've been winning ever since."

Teammate Candace Richins adds, "She's been amazing!"

Walker led the Darts Saturday night with 11 kills, 15 assists, nine digs and five blocks. Richins added 15 kills, six digs, four blocks and three assists. Junior outside Kaylie Kamahu finished with six kills, five digs and two aces, one of which was the match winning serve.