The Great Eight! Kylee's varsity volleyball season

These are 8 amazing young women! They are an unusual group of girls...and have had a one of a kind experience. They have been on the same team for the past 6 years and have played together from 7th grade to their senior year. All 8 of them played varsity every game...which doesn't happen very often. We were the only team who always announced 8 seniors as our starting line-up! But more importantly, they are the best of friends. There are not 8 more kind, caring, fun girls in the world!! They are all beautiful inside and out. They have never said an unkind word to or about each other on or off the court...and that's saying a lot! Even when they are down in a game and the pressure is on you will only see and hear them building each other up. They cheer each other on in everything they do...volleyball, school, anything. I think that is why they have been so successful and had a great season. They are always positive and treat each other with love and respect.
Lacey, Shelby, Sommer, Savannah, Alexis, Allie, Kylee & Brooke...The Great 8!!

They got together and hired a photographer to take their pictures together. They got some fun shots. They have spent a lot of time together over the years. They did team retreats and camps, went to sadies dances all together (and played some awesome mud football both years), did lots of service projects together, attended football games together and spent countless hours together perfecting their volleyball skills at practices, club tournaments and season games.

For the past two years they have had the awesome opportunity to attend the state tournament at UVU. They have gone in both years as Region Champs!! Woohoo!! They didn't do as well this year as they had hoped...they all had their sights set on a state title...but they still had a good experience. They played hard and it was so sad to see this season come to an end. Volleyball has been a huge part of their lives and they will have great memories and friendships for years to come.

Walking out to the bus to leave for the State Tournament under their balloon arch!

The bus...decorated inside and out!!

Emilee, Quincy and Brinley came to wish Kylee good luck and see her off!!

All of the girls and families released purple and white balloons before they got on the bus.

A few shots of Kylee doing her thing at the State Tournament.

It has been so fun to watch her be so successful this year at something she has worked hard at for years. She had a great season. At the Volleyball banquet she received some of her stats. She led the team in blocks and the next person under her was 35 less! She also was 3rd in kills, only 1 under the 2nd place. She received the "defensive player of the year" award. This usually goes to the libro but this year her teamates and coaches voted that it go to her for her amazing ability to put up a great block.

Her coaches have really tried to encourage her to go on and play at the college level. They are pretty certain she could play and receive a volleyball scholarship. After a few weeks of painful thinking :) Kylee decided to keep all of the great experiences and memories close, but to wrap up this stage of her life and be done with volleyball. She feels like it's time to look to college and focus on that as her next stage. We are proud of her...it's not everybody that even has that decision to make. It says alot about her skill, desire and determination. Her parents think she has made a wise decision!!! I am excited to see all that this next phase of life will bring for her. Volleyball has taught her some important life lessons and she is a better person for all that she has learned over the past 6 years.

This was a statement from Kylee's coach that was printed in our local newspaper. I think it sums their team up beautifully...

"Harding said she is honored to have been able to coach such a special group of athletic talents with a real passion for the sport. She also commended their character, saying they were respectful, generous, kind and always looking for ways to serve others. They won't remember the win/loss at the end, said Harding. They are going to remember their teammates and the way they treated each other, and these girls get that."

Great Job Kylee...we are proud of you!!