From left to proper: Lone Peak’s Zoey Burgess, Timpview’s Salina Damuni, Ridgeline’s Nia Damuni, Morgan’s Alyvia Jaffa, Parowan’s Paige Felder, and Wealthy’s Darleen Petersen Deseret Information composite photograph
Lone Peak Knights’ Zoey Burgess hits the ball whereas taking part in the Bingham Miners within the 6A quarterfinal in Orem on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022. Ben B. Braun, Deseret Information
The Timpview Thunderbirds’ Silina Damuni (3) hits the ball whereas taking part in the Mountain View Bruins within the 6A finals in Orem on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022. The Timpview Thunderbirds received 3-1 in units. Ben B. Braun, Deseret Information
The Ridgeline Riverhawks’ Nia Damuni (3) hits the ball whereas taking part in the Desert Hills Thunder within the 4A volleyball state championship in Orem on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022. The Hawks received 3-0 in units. Ben B. Braun, Deseret Information
Morgan Trojans’ Alyvia Jaffa (8) performs in opposition to the Richfield Wildcats within the 3A state volleyball match in Orem on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022. The Trojans received 3-1. Ben B. Braun, Deseret Information
Parowan’s Paige Felder (13) was voted the Deseret Information 2A volleyball Participant of the Yr. Dave Mineer Sr.
Wealthy’s Darleen Petersen was voted the Deseret Information 1A volleyball Participant of the Yr. Wealthy Excessive College
Volleyball is a group sport, however when you've got dominant gamers like every of this 12 months’s Gamers of the Yr, it certain makes life simpler. Every of the next six stars helped lead their respective groups to state championships, and now are being acknowledged for his or her efforts all season lengthy on the court docket.
Right here’s a have a look at the 2022 Deseret Information Gamers of the Yr who made the largest distinction for his or her groups in every classification.
Lone Peak Knights’ Zoey Burgess hits the ball whereas taking part in the Bingham Miners within the 6A quarterfinal in Orem on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022.
Ben B. Braun, Deseret Information
6A Participant of the Yr
Zoey Burgess, Lone Peak, Jr., MB
The Burgess household is actually making a reputation for itself in Utah volleyball. Following in her sister’s footsteps from final 12 months, Lone Peak’s Zoey Burgess led the cost this 12 months, serving to lead the Knights to their third-straight state crown.
Burgess totaled 323 kills this season, hitting .382. She additionally averaged 3.3 kills per set whereas recording 31 aces, 22 solo blocks, 46 block assists and 112 digs. Her efforts all around the court docket had been enormous for Lone Peak.
“Zoey is a dominant power on each offense and protection. She retains the block sincere, in order that frees up our different hitters as nicely,” mentioned coach Paula Jardine.
“She’s fiercely aggressive and is all the time a power to be reckoned with.”
The Timpview Thunderbirds’ Silina Damuni (3) hits the ball whereas taking part in the Mountain View Bruins within the 6A finals in Orem on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022. The Timpview Thunderbirds received 3-1 in units.
Ben B. Braun, Deseret Information
5A Participant of the Yr
Silina Damuni, Timpview, Sr., S
After a conquer area foe Mountain View for the state championship, Silina Damuni made it clear how joyful she was. After a fully stellar profession, the Timpview senior has each proper to be thrilled about what she’s completed.
The four-year starter and captain completed off her senior season by recording 1,060 assists, 11 assists per set, 55 aces, 298 digs and 147 kills. In her last season as a Thunderbird, Damuni additionally helped Timpview win the state title, the group’s second in three years, and broke the Utah all-time help report with 3,467.
“Silina’s work ethic is relentless and unparalleled. She’s extraordinarily coachable,” mentioned coach Charmay Lee. “Annually I’ve needed to stage up my practices due to her need to lift her stage of play, and in consequence, has raised the extent of play of her teammates.”
The BYU commit additionally completed her profession having received the area title in every of her 4 seasons.
The Ridgeline Riverhawks’ Nia Damuni (3) hits the ball whereas taking part in the Desert Hills Thunder within the 4A volleyball state championship in Orem on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022. The Hawks received 3-0 in units.
Ben B. Braun, Deseret Information
4A Participant of the Yr
Nia Damuni, Ridgeline, Sr., S
The Gonzaga Bulldogs are getting a confirmed chief and the two-time participant of the 12 months in Ridgeline’s Nia Damuni.
“Nia was a giant a part of our success this 12 months. She introduced power, ardour, management and consistency to our court docket,” mentioned coach Jaicee Roden.
The senior setter completed her last season at Ridgeline with 566 assists, 228 digs, 34 blocks, 71 aces and 82 kills whereas hitting .148. These efforts helped the Riverhawks report an ideal 10-0 area report and seize their second-straight state championship.
“Her confidence in herself and her teammates was contagious and allowed everybody to demand excellence of one another,” mentioned Roden.
Morgan Trojans’ Alyvia Jaffa (8) performs in opposition to the Richfield Wildcats within the 3A state volleyball match in Orem on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022. The Trojans received 3-1.
Ben B. Braun, Deseret Information
3A Participant of the Yr
Alyvia Jaffa, Morgan, Jr., MB
After three straight second-place finishes, Morgan reclaimed its spot atop 3A, thanks largely to junior Alyvia Jaffa.
Very similar to she had all season, when the Trojans wanted some power within the state last, it was Jaffa who answered the decision. After dropping the primary set, consideration for Morgan turned to the block, and the junior center blocker set the tone for the remainder of the match.
“When the video games bought shut this 12 months, Liv accepted the problem and went to work discovering methods to attain and assist Morgan win. She has a ardour for the sport and it's enjoyable to observe her play,” mentioned coach Liz Wiscombe.
Jaffa completed her junior season with 45 aces and led Morgan in each kills (398) and blocks (141). Not solely returning to the state title match in 2023, however defending their title will definitely be a aim for Jaffa and her squad subsequent season.
Parowan’s Paige Felder (13) was voted the Deseret Information 2A volleyball Participant of the Yr.
Dave Mineer Sr.
2A Participant of the Yr
Paige Felder, Parowan, OH, So.
With historical past on the road within the 2A state championship, Parowan turned to younger sophomore Paige Felder, and she or he didn’t disappoint.
Switching from outdoors hitter to center throughout the last match of the season, Felder did all the pieces she was requested to do, serving to the Rams safe their first state volleyball championship.
“Paige is the final word competitor and a real group participant. She makes everybody round her higher by means of her optimistic affect and drive to succeed,” mentioned Parowan coach Macey Yardley.
The underclassman has a shiny future forward after main the classification in each kills (484) and aces (85). She additionally totaled 35 blocks and 257 digs whereas hitting at a .301 clip.
Wealthy’s Darleen Petersen was voted the Deseret Information 1A volleyball Participant of the Yr.
Wealthy Excessive College
1A Participant of the Yr
Darleen Petersen, Wealthy, OH, Sr.
When Wealthy Excessive discovered itself in want of some optimistic encouragement, the others typically discovered themselves turning to senior Darleen Petersen.
Going through a possible loss in her last match with the Rebels, it was Petersen’s “can-do” perspective that helped her report the ultimate kill of the match, lifting Wealthy to its first state title since 2016.
The senior outdoors hitter recorded over 400 kills, 35 solo blocks, 55 aces, 355 digs and 545 serve receives in her last season.
“Darleen was an incredible asset to our group. She spent a variety of additional time within the offseason to make herself a greater hitter,” mentioned coach Wendy Lamborn. “She hit the ball exhausting and it was normally not returned. She is extraordinarily aggressive and beloved to win.”