By Greg James

 South Valley - The Herriman High School girls volleyball team has experienced some success early on this season. Its toughest battles are still to come as they enter play in Region 4.

“Region 4 is brutal. Every one of our region matches is like a state playoff match. I love that we are in the toughest region. Every game is a state playoff caliber game,” Herriman head volleyball coach Bryan Nicholson said after last season.

The team has only four seniors on its roster; setter Shelby Nelson, outside hitters Savannah Laws and Hannah Davis and middle Sierra Freeland. Nicholson said the team’s youth is still capturing the know how to win.

Sophomores Leia Lapuaho and Cassidy Nelson start with the four seniors. The team’s libero (defensive specialist) is junior Megan McQueen. 

The Mustangs opened its region play Sept. 8 at home against Riverton; they fell to the Silverwolves 3-0. In the first set they trailed Riverton, but mounted a comeback only to fall 25-16. The second and third sets were similar to the first. The Mustangs fell behind in each set but were able to come back only to fall short 25-22 and 25-22. 

They were able to bounce back to defeat Westlake in their second region match 3-2.

 “I was on the first team ever at Herriman. I saw what it took to put a team together and fight through. We played tough in a tough region,” former Mustang all-state outside hitter Sadie Pond said.

The Mustangs have qualified for the state tournament once in its five-year school history. In 2012 they placed second in 4A Region 7. In 2014 Pleasant Grove, Lehi and Lone Peak from Region 4 placed first- third at the state tournament. 

They are scheduled to rematch at Riverton Oct. 6. Their final home game will be Oct. 22 against Pleasant Grove. The state volleyball tournament is scheduled for Nov. 5 and 7 at Utah Valley University.