High school volleyball: Juan Deigo caps 'super' season with fifth place

OREM — The Soaring Eagle volleyball team might have some hills left to climb, but they blazed new territory for the program with their performance in this year's 3A State Tournament.

"It was a super season," said Juan Diego coach Mim Nellermoe, after the team defeated Grantsville 25-18, 25-11, 22-25, 25-19 to claim fifth place. "It's the best finish ever for a team in Juan Diego history."

Not only did the Soaring Eagle have the luxury of finishing the season with a win — something most teams don't have. Nearly all of the players were able to contribute in the match and tournament.

The squad was led by junior hitter Alex Cassel, who earned eight kills in the final match. Junior middle Nikki Sim added 14 kills and was a huge factor at the net for Juan Diego the entire tournament.

Senior outside Janae Giles added eight kills and senior setter Megan Evans distributed the ball well led the team's defensive effort. Freshman Rachel Enloe earned 21 digs and Alyssa Rall picked up 15 digs.

Brittany Swicord earned 12 digs as the team epitomized hustle throughout the two-day tournament.

"We have some great all around athletes," Nellermoe said. "They could have hung their heads (after the quarterfinal loss to Morgan(, but they bounced back and played great."

She enjoyed the last match most of all because different players got in the games and others tried some new positions.

"It was nice to finish where everyone got in the game," she said. "It was great to see them playing that well together."

She said the team's strength this season has been their cohesiveness.

"They really love each other," she said. "They're like a body, with each one different parts. Their forte is unity."

The loss gave Grantsville seventh place. The Cowboys were led by Ashley Bartlett, senior middle, Marissa Robins, a junior middle, and Kelsi Wells, a junior outside.

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