5A or 4A? Doesn’t matter to Skyview volleyball. The Hawks just keep winning state titles
Skyview volleyball coach Kevin Murphy once wondered whether the Hawks would ever win a state title.
Now, they come in bunches.
Skyview wrapped up its third straight state championship Saturday with a four-set victory over Columbia (25-18, 21-25, 25-17, 25-11) in the 4A state finals at Thunder Ridge High in Idaho Falls.
The two-time defending 5A state champs dropped down to the 4A classification this fall. But no matter the level, the Hawks (24-6) continued to dominate and establish themselves as Idaho’s top program regardless of classification, with five state titles in the past seven years.
That mountaintop appeared impossible to climb a few short years ago as the Hawks struggled to break through. But after eight straight trips to the championship round and a host of title trophies under his belt, Murphy said he wishes he knew what made the difference.
“It was just so hard getting that first one,” he said. “There are just so many good teams and so many good players. I just feel like we’ve been so fortunate and lucky.
“I don’t know that I know anything now that I didn’t then. It’s just our turn now.”
Skyview extended its turn atop Idaho on Saturday thanks to a prolific performance from its two outside hitters. Oregon commit Alex Acevedo and freshman Bellamie Beus each racked up 26 kills in the finals. And Alex Bower, a BYU commit, set them up all afternoon, finishing with 51 assists, along with six kills and 14 digs of her own.
The latest title didn’t come easy though. After getting swept by Skyview three times earlier this season, Columbia (31-8) took the second set from the Hawks. It marked the first set Skyview dropped to an Idaho team all season.
But the Hawks rallied to take the next two sets to start another trophy ceremony.
“They didn’t blink,” Murphy said. “Columbia is a good team, and they earned that win. It’s just about getting a ‘W.’ It doesn’t matter if it’s in three, four or five sets.”
A third straight championship puts Skyview in rarefied air. The Hawks are just the fifth 5A or 4A program to win three titles in a row. The last was Century, which won six straight 4A titles from 2010 to ‘15.
Bower, junior libero Melissa Eyer and senior outside hitter Sydney Nay started on all three championship teams. And senior middle blocker Brinley Perrine was also a key part of all three.
“It’s great for our kids,” Murphy said. “The kids who have been a part of all three of them, or two of them, or even the kids that got the first one, it’s awesome for our program and our kids.”
MELBA CAPTURES FIRST STATE TITLE
The Mustangs broke through to win the first state championship in program history Saturday, topping two-time defending champ West Side 25-23, 22-25, 25-17, 25-19 in the 2A finals at Shelley High.
Melba senior Keylee Wilson racked up 24 kills, 14 digs and three aces in the championship match. Senior Kendall Clark added 13 kills and 13 digs, and Ellie Johnson finished with 45 assists.
Melba coach Curtis Johnson admitted he entered state a bit nervous. The top-seeded Mustangs (29-2-1) didn’t drop a single set during conference play or the district tournament. But he said Melba responded when Malad and Ririe pushed it to five sets.
“I’m just proud,” Johnson said. “It’s a lot of fun to watch a group of young ladies come together and be rewarded as the best team in the state.”
Johnson took over Melba two years ago after leading Nampa Christian to a pair of state titles. He took the Mustangs to the finals last year, a step that set the stage for Saturday’s breakthrough championship. But he deflected any credit.
“It’s the kids,” he said. “Someone has to direct it, but the kids have to put in the work every day. The coach provides the plan. But the kids do the work.”
HORSESHOE BEND REPEATS
The Mustangs rolled through the 1A Division II state tournament at Madison High, capping their second straight championship and fourth in six years with a 25-20, 25-20, 25-12 victory over Rockland.
Horseshoe Bend (32-3-2) broke through last season with a young roster, and the Mustangs still don’t field a single senior on the roster. But Horseshoe Bend coach Sharsti Moore said all the success never went to her young team’s head.
“The girls’ motto was to, ‘Stay hungry, stay humble,’” Moore said. “Because they were so young and experienced so much success last year, I didn’t want them to get too comfortable. So they chose that motto and stuck with it all season.”
Junior middle blocker Annelie Wilson racked up 22 kills and 22 digs in the championship match. She also had 28 kills and 20 digs in the semifinals.
Sophomore Aliyah Meyer combined for 12 kills, 32 digs and 76 assists in the semifinals and finals. And junior Torey Tschida combined for 34 digs in the two matches.
The Mustangs closed the season on an 18-match winning streak. Their only losses this fall came to 2A state champ Melba and 2A state qualifiers Cole Valley Christian and Ririe.
TIMBERLINE FINISHES SECOND: The Wolves rallied all the way back to the finals after dropping their opening match Friday. But Timberline (24-10-1) ran out of gas and fell 25-5, 25-21, 25-19 to Madison for the 5A state title. The second-place finish is Timberline’s best since 2016.
KIMBERLY WINS FIRST TITLE: The top-seeded Bulldogs swept Fruitland 25-17, 25-18, 25-16 in the 3A finals for the first state championship in program history. Kimberly also topped No. 2 Fruitland (23-5) in five sets earlier in the day. The second-place finish is Fruitland’s best since 2019, and Weiser (23-12) brought home the third-place trophy.
- TROY CROWNED AGAIN: The top-seeded Trojans swept Genesee 25-20, 27-25, 25-23 to repeat as 1A Division I champs. The title is Troy’s 14th in program history and its fifth in the past seven years. No Treasure Valley team brought home a trophy from the tournament.
This story was originally published October 29, 2022 at 10:31 PM.
