BHS volleyball sixth best in state

Behind a young group of players, the Bingham High volleyball team finished sixth at the state tournament in early November. One senior, three juniors and five sophomores were the key components for the Miners’ 19-14 season with all nine players garnering region and state honors for the 2011 season.

“It was a fun filled year with great success, given the ages of our starters,” head coach Melissa Glasker, in her seventh year at Bingham, said.

Junior Nakisha Wilden was named Second Team All-State and First Team All-Region while senior Jacquee Vakapuna was named to the All-Region Second Team. Those receiving Honorable Mention All-Region honors were juniors Mackenzie Bruggeman and Kylie Fa’amoe and sophomores Jaiden Achermann, Talia Afalava, Kira Hatuau, Kina Tausinga and Lexi Thompson.

The Miners competed this season in a newly aligned region, and state placements at the end of the year proved how tough this region is – three of the top six teams at state were from Region 4.

At the state tournament, Taylorsville defeated Bingham 3-1 in the first round. The Miners then shut out Alta, West Jordan and Brighton 3-0 to finish in sixth place.

Others on the 2011 team were juniors Brooke Steinicke, Jazmin Taula, Kaho’o Taula and Mele Vainuku; sophomores Gabrielle Hoyer, Viola Langi and Tamia VanderBeek; and freshmen Megan Boudreaux, Lexi English, Vaofua Kaili, Maluhia Taulu, Sisilia Tausinga, Gracey Tuifua and Alana Zander.

“There is a lot of team chemistry and love for one another with this group,” Glasker said. “My aspirations for them are limitless because of the wonderful attitudes I have to work with.”