The Copper Hills girls volleyball team is getting a fresh start this season, and the new person in charge can’t wait to begin. 

Kimberly Norman takes over the Grizzlies’ program following a 15-17 record from the team a year ago. In 2024, Copper Hills went 3-7 in Region 2. Norman was pleased right away with the positive reception she received once she took the position as head coach at Copper Hills. 

“As the new coach here at CHHS, I am amazed at the leadership and support from administration, parents and players,” she said. “We are getting better every day, the kids work very hard and I love what I am seeing from day to day. The feeling around the team is positive, exciting and optimistic.”

Copper Hills players are optimistic about the change and are eager to improve on last season’s mark. They believe the Grizzlies have the talent to compete. 

“I’m so excited to create the team dominance that I am able as a player to produce,” starting outside hitter Katarina Kovacevic said. 

Starting middle blocker Sydnee Kirby believes the team has plenty of potential. 

“I am excited to see how we grow and develop our full abilities this season,” she said. 

Norman might be new to the job, but she isn’t shying away from big expectations. 

Though many coaches in all sports like to set the bar high, Norman wants the girls to aim for championships. If Copper Hills can’t attain those heights, Norman still expects the team to give a strong effort and play with resilience. 

“I always begin every season with this statement: win the region, win the state,” Norman said. “Anything less than that is a journey to excellence. As long as we fight hard, we win the biggest prize, which is family—our team quote for 2025.”

Being a top team in Region 2 and in Class 6A won’t happen overnight. Copper Hills is taking things one game at a time. Norman believes progress happens in incremental steps, and she’s focusing on developing fundamentals day by day. 

“To accomplish our goals, we need a little improvement each day in all six skills,” she said.

The Grizzlies have some good passers on the outside and tall players in the middle, which will make them difficult to beat. Norman also said the team’s libero-setter combination is also excellent. On the flip side, she hopes the team can have more confidence and be resilient when the players face adversity. 

“Throughout the season, I want to improve on interrupting limited mindsets,” Norman said. “I want to improve on believing in infinite ability and possibility and never giving up, no matter the challenge.”

With the players she has at her disposal and with the opponents that await Copper Hills, Norman has no doubt there are opportunities for the Grizzlies to be one of the top teams in Region 2. Some daunting tasks surely will come, but Norman thinks the girls have what it takes to prevail. 

“The greatest challenge is [the players’] personal belief in accepting the changes I am proposing for the technical and tactical elevation needed to win at the highest levels,” she said. “We will get there.”

A trio of talented players will lead the Grizzlies this season, with several others contributing and filling valuable roles on the squad. Norman highlighted Kovacevic, senior setter Pagie Jensen and senior libero Kielana Gasu. As a first-year coach, Norman will rely on them for production and to set examples for the other girls on the team. So far, Kovacevic, Jensen and Gasu have impressed her on and off the court. 

“[Kovacevic] is small, feisty and amazing as a passer,” Norman said. “She is dominant. She’s a player to watch. She’s kind and fun. [Jensen] is a high-level athlete who has taken the Grizzly helm with great ferocity and leadership. Watch for more. [Gasu] is a digging dominator. She is a great leader and possesses high-level volleyball IQ. She could play all the way around but has committed to anchoring our middle.”

In Region 2, Copper Hills will once again go up against opponents Bingham, Riverton, Herriman and Mountain Ridge. However, some new faces will join the league with Cedar Valley and Westlake coming aboard. The Grizzlies started the season Aug. 5 with a 3-1 setback at Weber. Copper Hills then dropped a pair of close 3-2 matches at Davis on Aug. 7 and at home against Uintah on Aug. 12. A few weeks after school starts, the Grizzlies begin Region 2 action with a home match against Bingham on Sept. 2. Each region foe will see one another twice during the regular season. The final scheduled game is Oct. 21 at Mountain Ridge. 

Following the regular season is the Class 6A state tournament, where Copper Hills is shooting for some success. In 2024, the Grizzlies dropped their first postseason match but followed that with a pair of victories in the consolation bracket before ending the year with a loss to Weber. 

In victory or defeat, Norman is grateful to take the reins of the Copper Hills girls volleyball team. She admires the girls for their efforts and dedication to building the program. Even though the scoreboard didn’t go in the team’s favor early on, the players have maintained positive attitudes and are committed to giving it their best in every match and practice. 

“These are some very nice, hardworking kids,” Norman said.