Orem, Desert Hills, Provo and Green Canyon Advance in 4A Volleyball State Tournament
Top-seeded Orem secured a 3-0 sweep over No. 8 Wasatch in the 4A state tournament quarterfinals on Thursday, extending its winning streak to 24 matches. The dominant performance featured set scores of 25-14, 25-13, and 25-17, led by Meilani Akana with 17 kills and Haven Michaelis with 10.
Orem Wins 24 Straight Games After Early Losses
Orem entered the postseason following a challenging start to the year that included consecutive losses to Corner Canyon, Skyridge, and Green Canyon. The team also played without star outside hitter Meilani Akana, who missed time competing in Chile for the U17 Brazil national team. Since that early stretch, the Tigers have strung together 24 straight victories. One thing we’re learning is adversity will come,
Orem coach Bill Sefita said.
Desert Hills and Provo Advance to Semifinals
On the other side of the bracket, No. 4 Desert Hills defeated No. 5 Crimson Cliffs 3-1, rebounding from an earlier regular-season loss to their rivals. Desert Hills won the first two sets 25-21 and 25-23 before Crimson Cliffs claimed the third 30-28. The Thunder clinched the match by taking the fourth set 25-17, powered by Jess Openshaw’s 22 kills and Phoenix Shaw’s 40 assists. The victory sets up a rematch of last year’s 4A championship game between Desert Hills and Orem.
High school girls volleyball: 4A state tournament Day 1 recap — Orem, Desert Hills, Green Canyon and Provo earn spots in semifinalsStory by @CarsonLHilton https://t.co/iCyNfSP6q3
Meanwhile, No. 3 Provo overcame a modest .150 hitting percentage with a gritty defensive effort, sweeping No. 6 Cedar City 25-18, 25-22, 25-19. Provo coach Stefanie Magalei noted that her undersized squad relied on 60 team digs and eight blocks from Lupe Fonohema and Meliana Chrisman to stifle the Reds. No. 2 Green Canyon rounded out the top tier of quarterfinal winners by sweeping Region 11 rival Ridgeline 25-13, 25-18, and 25-19, backed by Avery Birch’s 16 kills on a .500 hitting clip.
Opening Round Results Across the 4A Bracket
Earlier during the first round of the 4A playoffs, Orem dispatched No. 16 Timpanogos 3-0 (25-14, 25-17, 25-15). Defending state champions Desert Hills swept Dixie behind 18 digs from Sam Spencer and 15 kills from Openshaw. Wasatch edged Murray 3-2 in a tight five-set battle, recovering from a 2-1 deficit to take the final frame 16-14 on the strength of Kylie Allen’s 24 kills. Ridgeline advanced past Snow Canyon 3-1 behind 15 kills from Lili Madsen, while Green Canyon swept Sky View with a collective .390 team hitting percentage. Provo cruised past Hurricane in straight sets, and Cedar City secured a 3-1 victory over Bear River anchored by Alex Esplin’s 15 kills.
