Pine View defeats Orem to win inaugural 4A state title – Deseret News

Pineview had to go to overtime Saturday to cancel the inaugural 4A boys volleyball state championship.

The day started with the Panthers narrowly escaping the 4A semifinals with a 3-2 win over Logan, and ended with a 3-2 win over Orem, narrowly escaping the 4A championship.

“It's such a relief,” Pineview senior Spencer Blackmore said. “The legs are complete and they feel amazing. I'm so excited to be able to put this trophy in its case.”

Pineview was on a roll from the start in the 4A title game as Blackmore had five kills in the first set to help the Panthers win 25-22.

But Orem fought back and took control in the second and third sets as Ben Horne, Keanu Coles and Luke Wolsey racked up kills.

Pine View appeared to have completely lost control of the match when Orem won a commanding 14-25 in the third set to take a 2-1 lead over the Panthers.

Panthers head coach Josh Warner knew he needed to make adjustments between sets.

“One of our players was being bullied on his serve-receive, so I told him we needed to do a few things to take some of the pressure off him. They stepped in accordingly,” Warner said. said. “The other message was, if we do that and start cleaning up the passes and get the middle involved, we'll be fine.”

Warner's plan worked, as middle blockers Trevor Condie and Brody Swensen had seven kills in the fourth set, winning 25-21 and taking the fifth set in a row.

“They had the potential to turn on each other,” Warner said. “When we were down big, their ability to bounce back and stay calm was huge.

“They're young at heart and sometimes they don't slow themselves down, but they did it all weekend. They got back to basics after being down this weekend and did a great job. ”

Pine View took all the momentum it gained and pushed it into the fifth set.

Outside hitters Blackmore and Cody Campbell both provided big swing points for the Panthers, who quickly built a 10-5 lead.

“It was the best we've ever played and we really played for each other,” Campbell said. “Once I started opening up to other people, my job became easier.

“It's really amazing. Our school isn't the most successful in sports, so I'm happy to win this game.”

Orem didn't have to fight, either, as Kares and Horn combined for six kills to keep the match close at 15-15.

Blackmore, which was leading 16-15, fought through the net to win the set 17-15 and claim its first 4A state championship.

“I was a little shocked at how it ended,” Warner said. “Spencer is a little smaller, but he's extremely athletic, and the other kids were bigger than Spencer.

“But luckily Spencer did it secretly for me, so I didn't think of it until I saw the kids celebrating. I went to the bench, put my head down and felt it, and I enjoyed it for them.”