With the exception of one game, no one in region play could take down the West Jordan volleyball team this season. 

The Jaguars wrapped up the 2023 campaign by sharing the Region 4 title with Hunter, with both teams going 9-1 in league action. Playing all five region opponents twice, West Jordan and Hunter went 1-1 against each other. West Jordan beat Hunter 3-2 on Sept. 14 and then lost to the Wolverines on the road 3-1 on Oct. 3. 

“We had an amazing 2023–2024 season this year,” head coach Owen Sosi said. “We made it a goal from the beginning of the season to work hard toward that region title, and we came out on top, sharing that co-region title.” 

Overall, the Jaguars went 18-6 this season. It was quite an improvement from the 2022 season when West Jordan was 8-11 overall and 1-8 in league play, finishing in last place. Moving to Class 5A and Region 4 certainly helped the team, but improvement on the floor was evident. Sosi said the team started to focus on the little things this season, which helped in all aspects of the game. 

“Fundamentals, statistics and teamwork is what I believe helped us in our title for region—getting back to the basics and really capitalizing on what our strengths were,” he said. “We were the best serving team in the region, which is something that we were able to stay consistent throughout the entire season. Numbers and stats played a big role in our success as well, as we had the majority of our starting lineup that ranked in the top 10 for all five stat categories—hitting, kills, assists, digs and blocks. We won together as a team and also lost together as a team. After every loss, we looked at it as an opportunity to better what we could on our side of the net.” 

Several players contributed to the team’s region title and success throughout the season. Senior libero Clara Pauni, a team captain, had a strong year. She led the region with 265 digs this season and, as Sosi said, “is a force to be reckoned with.” He also said she is a fierce player and has all the characteristics you would want in a libero. 

Senior setter Emmalee Scott was the other team captain. She was second in Region 4 with 405 assists. 

“[Scott] leaves it all on the floor,” Sosi said. “She motivates her teammates to work hard and be better, and she also shows through her actions and stats of why she should be on the court. She wants everyone to succeed and always puts her teammates before herself.”

Sophomores Atyana Crosby and Sueliana Hall may be young, but they were not intimated. Sosi said both have bright futures ahead of them. Crosby, a middle blocker, had a hitting percentage of .288, which was second in Region 4. She was also third in blocks with 52 and ninth in kills with 88. Hall, an outside hitter and right-side hitter is what Sosi calls “a hungry player.” She was fifth in the region with a hitting percentage of .225 and fifth in kills with 105. She also ranked ninth in assists, 10th in digs and 11th in blocks in Region 4 this past season. 

Senior outside hitters Lola Rivera and Jovi Farmer brought leadership, experience and a lot of skill and effort to the floor every day. Rivera had a great all-around season for the Jaguars. She led the region with 152 kills, and her 46 aces were good enough for second. She also had 137 digs, which was fourth best in the region. Farmer was second in kills with 150, third in aces with 44 and seventh in digs with 105. 

“[Rivera] plays the position that is needed for the team, whether it’s her first choice or not,” Sosi said. “She is a team player, and it shows on and off the court. [Farmer] has had a tremendous season putting up numbers and statistics.”

The Jaguars were seeded sixth and had a first-round bye at the state tournament but then fell in the second round to Northridge 3-0 on Nov. 2. Still, Sosi enjoyed the season and appreciates everything the girls gave. 

“I will remember this group of girls, especially my seven seniors,” he said. “With the exception of one, I have been coaching them all since their freshman year. They each have brought something memorable to this team and have contributed more than asked. I am thankful my first year as head coach was with the ones I started this journey with, and I am excited to see what the future holds for each of them. I am also excited for the girls upcoming in the program, and it’s only up from here for the Lady Jags.” λ