The Skyridge girls volleyball team earned the 6A state runner-up trophy on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, after overcoming a five-set semifinal thriller against American Fork before falling to top-seeded Corner Canyon in the championship match at Utah Valley University's UCCU Center.
Skyridge Battles American Fork
The Skyridge semifinal match against Region 3 rival American Fork required five sets to decide a winner. Despite Skyridge winning their two previous league matches against the Cavemen comfortably, the playoff meeting proved much more difficult. The Falcons took the first two sets 26-24 and 25-16, but American Fork rallied to win the next two sets 25-22 and 25-20, forcing a tiebreaker.
A Fifth-Set Thriller
In the decisive fifth set, the contest remained highly competitive, with Skyridge managing to hold off three separate match points from American Fork. The Cavemen held a 10-6 lead following a Skyridge hitting error, but the Falcons fought back to tie the game at 13-13 following an ace from Emma White. Skyridge eventually secured the 20-18 victory after an American Fork hitting error at the 19-18 mark.
Key Individual Performances
Skyridge junior Sienna Kuresa led the Falcons with 19 kills in the semifinal victory. Emma White contributed 13 kills and a match-high seven aces. Libero Estelle Slaney recorded 37 digs, a performance Skyridge coach Taylor Hifo praised as essential to deflating the opponents energy. Kuresa noted that the team's success was driven by a shared sense of belief throughout the tournament.
Corner Canyon Claims Title
Following the semifinal victory, Skyridge faced top-seeded Corner Canyon in the championship match on Wednesday, October 28, 2026. The Chargers, who finished the season with a 29-3 record, won the title in straight sets, 25-23, 25-20, and 30-28. This victory marked the second consecutive 6A state championship for Corner Canyon.
Championship Match Details
The championship match saw Skyridge fight to stay competitive in each set. In the first set, Corner Canyon held a lead before Skyridge pulled even at 17-17 on a kill from Emma White. However, two hitting errors by the Falcons allowed the Chargers to secure the set 25-23. In the second set, Corner Canyon extended their lead to 17-9 behind a kill by Majia Mortensen, and despite a comeback attempt by Skyridge, the Chargers won the set 25-20.
Final Set Drama
The third set saw Skyridge attempt to mount a comeback, narrowing the gap to 17-16 following an out-of-the-back-row score by Emma White. A block by Lucy Meck helped tie the score at 20-all, but Corner Canyon reached championship point three times. The Chargers eventually secured the win 30-28. Skyridge finished the season with a 25-7 record.
Tournament Context and Standings
The 6A state tournament featured a heavy presence from Region 3, as the final four teams in the field were all from that region. In addition to the Skyridge and Corner Canyon matchups, the semifinals included Lone Peak, who lost to Corner Canyon 3-1, and American Fork, who lost to Skyridge. Lone Peak finished their season with an 18-11 record after defeating American Fork 25-20 and 27-25 to secure third place.
