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First year in 6A for Corner Canyon volleyball, first year in top 10

Nov 18, 2019 01:47PM ● By Catherine Garrett

by Catherine Garrett | [email protected]

The Corner Canyon girls volleyball team, competing for the first time in the 6A classification, entered the state tournament with seven All-Region players and came out with a top-10 finish. First Team All-Region junior outside hitter Baylee Bodily and senior libero Kylie Johnson, along with Second Team All-Region players Brooklyn Leggett and Grace Anderson and Honorable Mention All-Region players Halle Richards, Karen Crapo and Emilee Anselmo, helped the Chargers to straight-set wins over Jordan and West Jordan to reach the quarterfinals. There they faced No. 1 seed Copper Hills and lost 25-18, 25-20, 7-25 and then lost a five-setter to Syracuse to end their season in ninth place.

“The state tournament is always fun,” head coach Mindy Wilder said. “The girls prepared and were mentally tough throughout the downtime heading into the tournament. This was a great season for us.”

(Justin Adams/City Journals)

Senior captain Lindsay Matsuura said motivation and drive led their team to move past the doubts of facing stiffer competition in the 6A ranks. “I think that we held our own and played our hearts out on the court,” she said. “We all wanted one thing — to be state champs — but more importantly, we wanted to win it for each other. Unfortunately, we lost but we left it all on the court fighting Copper Hills for the chance to advance. I am so proud of everyone.”

Corner Canyon’s focus this season, according to Wilder, was on strengthening their team with an emphasis on the African phrase, “Ubuntu — I am because we are.” “We knew that this season would be challenging as we entered 6A. We came into the season focused on having a growth mindset and taking opportunities presented to learn and grow. It was evident in the way we played,” she said. “The girls set goals every day at the beginning of practice and worked towards reaching those goals. We improved every time we stepped on the court for practice or a match.”

All four seniors — Anderson, Matsuura, Lauryn Nichols and Emma White — were recognized as Academic All-Region for their excellence in the classroom and on the court. “They are incredible leaders who are always positive and hard working,” Wilder said. “The seniors really set the tone for our practices.”

Anderson said the up-and-down 17-15 season has been quite the journey, but the hard work paid off in the end. “We’ve had many moments of greatness and many moments of struggle,” she said. “We struggled to find our grit and win. It’s been an amazing ride.”

Matsuura agreed. “This season has been an eventful one, for sure,” she said. “This season compared to others we have grown to be a family and have truly gotten so close.”

Also on the Chargers’ squad this season were Telesia Afeaki, Halle Beerman, Kenlee Burt, Jada Clayton, Jocelyn Cosgrave, Isabel Croft, Lily Croft, Mia Curtis, Arden Edwards, Caitlin Madsen, Ashley McDonald, Sydney Millar, Ellee Moore, Breauna Nez, Brinn Nichols, Kate Nielsen, Kaitlyn O’Connell, Ashlyn Price, Alison Reading, Elsie Smith, Mia Smith, Chesney White and Brooklyn Yeomans.

Wilder was assisted by Jeff Wade, Sara Dumas and Sydnee Peterson on the coaching staff.

“We couldn’t have done so well without our amazing Coach Wilder,” Anderson said. “She’s been the best coach and we owe everything we earned to her.”