4A SIC volleyball preview: Two-time state champ, league champ battle for supremacy
The state’s reclassification cycle brings a new look to the 4A Southern Idaho Conference this season in volleyball.
Middleton and Nampa have moved up to the 5A ranks, while perennial power Skyview returns after four seasons in the 5A SIC.
The Hawks, who have won four state titles over the past six seasons, get the red-carpet treatment, earning five of the league’s seven first-place votes. Defending district champ Columbia garnered the other two first-places votes.
The Idaho Statesman broke down the scouting reports on every team entering the fall.
THE FAVORITE
SKYVIEW HAWKS
Last season: 36-2, 11-0 5A SIC
Coach: Kevin Murphy, 17th season
Players to watch: Alex Acevedo, jr., outside hitter; Alex Bower, jr., setter; Melissa Eyer, jr., libero
After four seasons at the 5A level, the two-time defending state champions return to the 4A classification with a loaded roster. Skyview returns five starters from last season, headlined by Oregon commit Acevedo and Bower, who is verbally committed to BYU.
Murphy cites defensive depth as a team strength, with the Hawks’ only question mark being how quickly seven new players can acclimate to the varsity level.
Skyview has won four state titles in the past six seasons, including a pair of 4A championships in 2016 and ‘17, and 11 straight district titles.
THE CONTENDERS
COLUMBIA WILDCATS
Last season: 22-9, 12-2 4A SIC
Coach: Cathy Curtis, ninth season
Players to watch: Mylie Mills, sr., middle hitter; Maggie Mills, sr., outside hitter; Lacie Dougherty, so., outside hitter/middle hitter/opposite; Mandi Nottingham, jr., setter
The defending 4A District Three Tournament champions welcome back four starters from last year’s team.
Depth at every position should help the Wildcats push each other in practice, which Curtis hopes translates to games. Columbia is looking to build on last year’s state tournament appearance, in which it won one game and lost two.
“We have a solid group of young women who are great volleyball athletes,” Curtis said.
BISHOP KELLY KNIGHTS
Last season: 8-19, 5-9 4A SIC
Coach: Joline Armuth, sixth season
Players to watch: Taylor Holloway, jr., middle blocker; Gracie Schlafer, sr., outside hitter; Judith Burke, jr., outside hitter
The Knights started as many as four sophomores last season, and their experience should begin to pay off as BK eyes a return to the state tournament for the first time since 2017.
Armuth says Bishop Kelly will need to improve its passing game to allow for a more diverse offensive attack.
“Team dynamic will be strong,” Armuth said. “Still a young starting lineup, but will be much more tenacious this season than last.”
RIDGEVUE WARHAWKS
Last season: 6-20-2, 3-11 4A SIC
Coach: Sydney Porter, first season
Players to watch: Genevieve Fuhriman, sr., outside hitter/middle hitter; Skylie Simmons, jr., opposite/outside hitter; Tifanie Tutogi, jr., setter/opposite
The Warhawks hit the reset button with a new coach and a young roster. Porter will turn to Fuhriman, Simmons and Tutogi to lead the inexperienced group.
“This season we are working on the mental aspects of volleyball and learning to control not just our bodies, but our minds, too,” Porter said.
Key to the Warhawks’ season will be passing and defense. Without a solid first touch, Ridgevue’s offensive options will be limited, Porter said.
THE DARK HORSES
VALLIVUE FALCONS
Last season: 11-15-1, 6-8 4A SIC
Coach: Kayla Lafollette, second season
Players to watch: Kainani Maio, sr., setter; Adelina Alfonso, jr., middle hitter/outside hitter; Kylee Sanchez, sr., defensive specialist/libero
Only one starter is back from last year’s team, which is the fewest among the league’s seven teams.
The Falcons finished third at last year’s district tournament and came one win short of advancing to state.
Lafollette cites adaptability as Vallivue’s biggest strength, while an inexperienced roster will be its biggest obstacle to success.
CALDWELL COUGARS
Last season: 0-17, 0-14 4A SIC
Coach: Pete Kucera, first season
Players to watch: Tamar Callender, so., setter; Kendall Green, jr., opposite; Dominique Whittington, sr., outside hitter/libero; Lilly Fogle, sr., outside hitter/libero
After a winless season in 2021, the Cougars will have a new look under Kucera, who will have three returning starters.
Kucera hopes Caldwell’s size in the front row and an experienced back row will help the Cougars be more competitive.
“We are an overall more experienced team and have worked to improve fundamentals and the small things,” Kucera said.
EMMETT HUSKIES
Last season: 13-10-1, 9-5 4A SIC
Coach: Jordan Dickeson, first season
Players to watch: Tessa Farnsworth, sr., libero; Shelbie Hempbill, so., setter; Gracie Hemphill, jr., outside hitter; Seairra Carr, sr., defensive specialist
The Huskies tied for third during the regular season and return three starters from last year’s squad.
However, they’ll need to replace a key piece of their offense in middle blocker Cora Young, who transferred to Columbia.
Emmett lacks the height of other league teams, but the Huskies hope to make up for that with defensive grit.
