Prep recap: Skyview volleyball wins battle for first as Hawks prep for ESPN appearance
It’s scary to think how good Bellamie Beus might become.
As the Skyview High School student section chanted after one particularly dominant kill, “She’s a freshman.”
Beus and fellow outside hitter Alex Acevedo combined for 26 kills as the Skyview volleyball team took down Columbia 25-11, 25-21, 25-16 on Thursday at Columbia High.
The Hawks’ freshman phenom contributed 10 kills, while Acevedo — a junior who’s committed to Oregon — led all hitters with 16 kills.
“When you’ve got two lefts, the game comes a little bit easier,” Skyview coach Kevin Murphy said. “Two really good lefts, there’s always an option, and they’re both just terrific.”
Despite her youth, Beus has seamlessly stepped into a starting role with one of the most dominant programs in the state.
“She is extremely good. Bellamie plays a huge role on this team,” Skyview setter Alex Bower said. “She passes. She hits. She’s very smart for a freshman. I think that’s so special. And that’s one of her best qualities. She’s so smart offensively. She knows when to tip. She knows when to roll. She knows when to go up and rip a ball. She’s awesome.”
Added Beus: “The team is great. I love all the girls. They’re all very nice and welcoming. I love it.”
Thursday’s victory gave the Hawks (12-5, 7-0) a two-game lead over Columbia (7-2, 5-2) for first in the 4A Southern Idaho Conference. It’s not a surprising position for the Hawks, who have won four state championships in the past six seasons and 11 consecutive district titles.
But Murphy says there’s always room for improvement, citing the Hawks’ need to clean up their serving. Skyview missed 11 serves against Columbia.
“We’ve just gotta be able to serve more consistent,” Murphy said. “Because get a big swing and then we miss the serve. And not just missing a serve, but it felt like a lot of our serves were first serve misses, so we can’t get any momentum, we can’t build.”
While the Hawks enjoy a comfortable lead for the 4A SIC regular-season title, they’ll test their mettle against national competition next month.
Skyview was one of four teams chosen to play in the second annual GEICO Girls Volleyball Invitational, which will air on ESPNU and ESPN+ on Oct. 7-8 at Papillion La Vista South High School in Papillion, Nebraska.
“We are so incredibly grateful for the opportunity,” said Bower, a BYU commit who totaled 32 assists against the Wildcats. “No Idaho team has ever got to go, so we’re just blessed to be able to represent Idaho.”
The Hawks are joined in the tournament by Papillion La Vista South, Ponte Vedra High School (Florida), and Cathedral Catholic High School (California). All four teams feature multiple Division I recruits on their roster.
Skyview and Papillion will open play at 3 p.m. Mountain time Friday, Oct. 7, on ESPNU, followed by Ponte Vedra vs. Cathedral Catholic at 5:30 p.m. on ESPN+. The winners then play for the championship at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, on ESPN+, while the losers meet in a third-place match at 3 p.m. on ESPN+.
“We know it’s there, but we’ve really just been focusing on what’s next,” Murphy said. “We had Vegas and then we had our two games this week, so we really haven’t put too much into that, but we all know it’s there and we’re all super excited to get out there and represent Idaho and compete.”
Thursday’s standouts
- Madison Hutchinson and Kate Silvers, Bishop Kelly (girls soccer): Both notched a goal and an assist to lead the Knights over Emmett 10-0.
- Olivia Smith, Homedale (girls soccer): Led the Trojan attack with two goals in a 3-2 win over Payette.
- Andrew Nguyen, Bishop Kelly (boys soccer): Scored two goals and added two assists for the Knights in an 8-0 win at Emmett.
- Kai Hatten, Timberline (boys soccer): Headlined the Wolves’ offense with a goal and an assist to down Rocky Mountain 2-0.
- Rhys Layton, Eagle (volleyball): Had 30 assists and 11 digs in the Mustangs’ 25-17, 25-16, 25-21 win over Centennial.
- Ava Brickner, Timberline (volleyball): Led the Wolves with 19 kills along with an ace and a block to help sweep Mountain View 25-23, 25-23, 25-22.
This story was originally published September 22, 2022 at 10:55 PM.
