The Corner Canyon High volleyball team finished last season among the top teams in the state and have climbed to number two in 6A more than halfway through the year. The Chargers are 13-2 against teams in the state with its only losses to No. 1 Skyridge 25-27, 25-21, 15-12 in the seventh match of the preseason during the Riverton Fall Classic and fifth-ranked Bingham 25-15, 25-23, 25-12.

The CCHS squad is led by senior 6-foot-2-inch First Team All-State outside hitter Elli Mortensen—whose career kill tally amounts to more than 1,300—and fellow captain senior Mia Palmer, who is also a key offensive weapon with over two kills per set.

Junior setter Brooke Stauffer has been running the offense—recording 292 assists so far this season—while also leading the team in aces with 33 from the serving line. Senior Brielle Bodily has 105 digs defensively while junior Madi Newbold and freshman Berkleigh Minnick both have 23 blocks at the net.

“Things are going great for us,” said head coach Mindy Ricks. “We just started region play and the girls and team are working harder than ever.”

The team recently returned from the Durango Fall Classic in Las Vegas Sept. 22-23 where they went 4-3, beating Nevada’s Shadow Ridge and Faith Lutheran, Kahuku (Hawaii) and Chaminade (California) and losing to California’s Branson and Marymount and Bishop Gorman (Nevada). 

 “The level of play and competition was very high so we were excited to see and compete against some tough teams,” Ricks said. “Our girls are focused and driven. It’s a fun time of year. We love seeing the team coming together and things clicking into place.”

Also on the CCHS team this season are Jules Barber, Halle Bills, Sadie Brown, Kyra Curtis, Ember Hunt, Saryn Kirkham, Faith Kittel, Kallee Klingler, Tori Miller, Bella Morgan and Victoria Page.

Ricks, who is in her ninth season at Corner Canyon, is being assisted on the coaching staff by Kazna Tanuvasa, Nina Mortensen, Michael Burke, Nigel Wood, Ana Perkins and Lindsey Crook.

At press time the Chargers sat in third place in Region 2 with a 2-2 mark with region matchups ahead against Mountain Ridge (twice), Riverton, Herriman, Copper Hills and Bingham before the 6A state tournament begins Oct. 31 at home sites and then Nov. 2-4 at Utah Valley University. λ