West Jordan volleyball competes in the state tournament

The West Jordan volleyball team ended their 2011 season 18-12, a vast improvement over 2010’s 4-12. The Jags finished third in Region 3 behind Brighton and Alta with only two region losses. That record and placement earned them a spot on the bracket sheet in the 5A State Tournament Nov. 4-5 at Utah Valley University’s UCCU Center.

Offseason work and a positive attitude paid off on the court this year, according to head coach Heather Johnson, in her best season since 2008, in which her squad finished 11-16.

In the state tournament’s first round on Nov 4, the Jaguars squared off versus Fremont, the second place team from Region 1, who lost only six matches all season long. The Silver Wolves were a bit too much for the Jaguars to handle in the first round, handing West Jordan three straight losses, 25-17, 25-10 and 25-12.

 The second round brought West Jordan face to face with Viewmont, the fourth place finisher from Region 2. The Jaguars fared better against the Vikings, winning, though not easily. The match went five sets before West Jordan was able to walk away with the victory. West Jordan lost the first two sets and had to win three straight to advance to another day of play, 14-25, 23-25, 25-9, 25-18, 15-13.

On Nov. 5, West Jordan started and ended its second day of competition against old Region 3 rival Bingham. Bingham finished fourth in Region 4 in 2011, and ended its regular season with the same exact record as West Jordan. Seemingly well matched, the teams faced off in an elimination game. Bingham was victorious, winning three straight, 25-10, 25-12, 25-18. The Miners went on to place sixth in the state, coming from Region 4, which had three teams place in the tournament; Lehi, second, and Lone Peak, fourth.