Monument Valley Volleyball Ends Season One Win Shy Of Placing At State Tournament

The Monument Valley volleyball team finished their season at the state tournament on Saturday October 24. The lady Cougars were the #7 seed at the state tournament and opened play against #10 Altamont. Monument Valley lost a close first set 26-24 and were unable to win the next two losing 25-13 and 25-11. 

The Cougars bounced back in consolation play as they defeated #15 Water Canyon 25-18 and 26-24.

That win would put them in the consolation semi-finals on Saturday morning where the Cougars would lose to Wayne in two sets losing 25-23 and 25-16. Wayne would place 8th at the state tournament.

Coach Harrison Miles shared after the season that he though the team might’ve done better based on how they played through the season but said the team could be proud of the season.

“I saw improvement in the level of play as we moved through the season.”

The Cougars finished the season with a 19-10 record, going 7-1 in region play to share the region title with Monticello.

Statistically Monument Valley was led by Naomi White in hitting percentage with .454, which was good enough to rank first in the Utah 1A division. Samara Sheppard averaged .411 while Nesbah Hunt averaged .321

White also led the team in blocks with 53, which ranked 4th in the 1A. Zaira Holliday had seven while Sheppard had six.

White also led the team in Kills with 245 on the season, good enough for 5th in the 1A, Hunt had 144 and Sheppard had 79.

White also led the team with Digs on the season with 287 to rank 10th in the 1A, Natalin Russell had 261 while Hunt had 147.

Meliyah Holiday led the team with 55 serving aces to rank 9th in the 1A. White had 47 and Hunt had 45 on the season.

Peyton Tome led the team in assists with 224 while Nay’myia Morgan had 198 and Holiday had 173.

Of course not every play can be measured by stats. Coach Miles shared some other standout efforts on the season.

“I think our back row play from Natalin Russell and Nesbah Hunt was crucial.  They had good defense when the team needed it. I watched Malaya Blackmountain's leadership blossom as the season progressed.”

The season saw some great highlights including a great tournament run in September.

“We played very well at the Freedom prep high school tourney.  We placed 2nd. The girls were in system and able to execute.”

The Monument Valley volleyball program will say goodbye to Meliyah Holiday, Malaya Blackmountain, and Nizhoni Yazzie as the three seniors on the team leave with a solid foundation for the future for Monument Valley.