4A high school volleyball: Spanish Fork secures third

OREM — The Spanish Fork volleyball team has something most other teams in Utah high school basketball envy. The Dons have the twin towers of volleyball in Erin Redd and Kylie Schofield, two players that can do everything on the volleyball court to help their team win.

Those two players led Spanish Fork out of a tough match with Snow Canyon in the 4A volleyball semifinals and into a 25-21, 26-24, 25-20 victory against the Highland Rams for third place in the tournament.

"After that match (against Snow Canyon where Spanish Fork lost in four games) and before this last match (against Highland), we just decided that 'Hey, this is our last game. Let's go out winners.' We wanted to go out and play well and have fun, and they did," said Spanish Fork coach Diana Troyer, who was still a little disappointed with her team's loss in the semifinals.

But she was thrilled that her team went out with a victory instead of having to live with a loss in their final match together.

Redd and Schofield are both seniors and have committed to Universities in the state. Redd has signed to play for the University of Utah, Schofield to Southern Utah University.

Redd finished the match against Highland with 15 kills and 14 digs, and Schofield added 12 kills in addition to a pair of blocks in only three games.

"I'm gonna miss those girls. What else can I say besides they're awesome. We rely on them so much," she said, though her team does have plenty of other help from its other players.

"I would hate to coach against them. I can't imagine what other coaches are thinking when Erin and Kylie go over the block and kill it.

They're smart too. I'm just glad they're on my team," added Troyer.

Setter Danee Merrill, who dishes the ball to her towering teammates, finished with 37 assists, three kills and a pair of blocks. But she'll be gone next year as well.

Tanner Tobiassan, who had a pair of kills in this match but looked good all tournament, and Makyla Theurer, who finished with an all-around effort of four kills, three aces, one block and eight digs, also had a solid tournament and will be looking to lead the Dons next season.

Highland was led by all-around star Kaveinga Leaaetoa, who paced them in every match throughout the tournament, doing everything for them. Prasella Matemate and Nikki Lolohea also looked good throughout as the Rams finished the tournament in fourth place.