A family feeling at Skyline volleyball

The Skyline volleyball team had an undefeated start to region play, but that’s not all that coach Jamie Hutchins is crowing about.

“It’s always been a goal of mine to make Skyline’s team like a family, to not have separate sophomore, JV and varsity teams, but to all have a common goal as a group,” he said. “And this year, we finally have that goal. In warm ups, seniors are playing with sophomores, kids are hanging out together, they are truly friends on and off the court.”

Hutchins believes this is the key to the success his team has enjoyed this year.

“The team has the idea that when one falls, we all fall,” he said. “It’s amazing. If one person struggles, there’s no barking or yelling at them. The attitude is, ‘we’ve got you, we’ll cover you.’ The kids have really stepped up and it’s amazing to watch. There’s no drama at all. It’s like a coach’s dream.”

A vital part of the team, and a continuation of that family environment this year, is senior Taran Kennedy, who is in her fourth year playing for the Eagles.

“She is a quiet kid, but everybody loves her,” Hutchins said. “She’s not flashy, but gets the job done every day as setter. She’s like a mother hen; she makes sure everyone is taken care of.

The Eagles had a 21-3 overall and 5-0 region record as of Oct. 7, including a pre-season tournament at Las Vegas and their own Tournament of Champions, held at Skyline. The Eagles early losses were 2-0 to Layton Aug. 20 and 2-1 to Coronado, a Nevada team, Aug. 26.

In region play, Skyline defeated Murray 3-1 Sept. 8, Herriman 3-0 Sept. 13, Hillcrest 3-0 Sept. 15, Westlake 3-0 Sept. 22 and Hunter 3-1 Sept. 28. The Eagles also secured a region first place lead by defeating contender Olympus 3-0, putting the Titans in second place with a 4-1 region record.

“Olympus is a good arch rival,” Hutchins said after the game. “Now we have to tackle the second half of the season. So far we’ve been able to fly under the radar, but now we’ve got a target on our backs that we’re ranked number one in 4A by the Deseret News. I imagine the second half will be more difficult than the first.

Skyline defeated Murray 3-1 Oct. 6, Herriman Oct. 11 and Hillcrest Oct. 13. They will be at Westlake Oct. 18, will host Morgan Oct. 19 and will end the regular season at Olympus Oct. 25. State 4A playoffs will be at UVU Nov. 4-5.