3A volleyball championship: Union pulls out a five-set thriller to win it all versus Morgan

OREM — Union volleyball coach Analaine Mailoto implored her team consistently throughout to remember that they can do hard things. On Wednesday, on the stage of the 3A championship match versus powerhouse Morgan, Mailoto’s players yet again proved good listeners.

A final spike from Union standout senior Ellison Weaver glanced off a flailing dig attempt before falling to the floor with Weaver’s teammates doing likewise after, forming the familiar impromptu pile of celebratory bodies that teams form after clinching a championship. The final point finished out a thrilling fifth set, with the Cougars coming out on top (26-24, 25-23, 21-25, 15-25, 19-17.)

1 of 25

2 of 25

3 of 25

4 of 25

5 of 25

6 of 25

7 of 25

8 of 25

9 of 25

10 of 25

11 of 25

12 of 25

13 of 25

14 of 25

15 of 25

16 of 25

17 of 25

18 of 25

19 of 25

20 of 25

21 of 25

22 of 25

23 of 25

24 of 25

25 of 25

“This is a dream. It’s insane. It’s indescribable the feeling I have right now,” Weaver said following the presentation of the championship trophy on top of more than several hugs from teammates, family and fans.

Making Weaver’s final point even better was the fact she was set up yet again by her younger sister, Kenisten Weaver.

“I trusted my team and I always trust my sister to set me up,” Ellison Weaver said. “She got me the ball in a perfect spot, like she does so many times, and we did it. We wanted to set a legacy for Union volleyball this year, so doing this is just amazing.”

Union’s legacy in its remarkable championship run was very much overcoming the seemingly impossible time and again to finish out on top.

It all began in the quarterfinals when Union was on the brink, down 14-6 in the fifth set versus Grand County before reeling off 10 straight points to take the match and advance. In Wednesday’s championship, the Cougars staged three more remarkable comebacks to clinch each of their set wins.

“Everyone played a big part in this. We’re a team. I’m just so excited and blessed to be part of this amazing team. We did it and it just feels amazing.” — Union’s Ellison Weaver

“I just kept telling them to be mentally strong and that they can do hard things,” Mailoto said. “If we stay mentally stable, then the game can switch easily.”

The first set saw Morgan acquire 5 set points, leading 24-19 late, thereby leaving the Cougars with no margin for error. But Mailoto’s team had overcome a much tougher predicament the day before and rallied again late to score the final 7 points of the set for a 26-24 set win.

The second set didn’t prove nearly as dramatic but did see Union overcome a 20-16 deficit late to come away with a 25-23 set win.

“We just don’t ever give up,” Ellison Weaver said. “We believe in each other so much and know it will come together if we just stay at it.”

Morgan regathered to take the third set 25-21 and then seemed to take complete control, rolling over the Cougars for a 25-15 fourth set win, with the momentum carrying over to the fifth set tiebreaker. That fifth set saw the Trojans forge a commanding 11-4 lead before Union yet again staged its final improbable comeback.

With Ellison Weaver leading the way, Union started chipping away at the lead, but still trailed 14-11, needing three straight to keep hope alive. But it was then, yet again, when the Cougars proved to be at their best, reeling off 4 straight points before battling to come out on top 19-17.

Much like she had all match, Ellison Weaver dominated down the stretch, scoring the final 4 points for her team to finish out her team’s remarkable championship run.

“Everyone played a big part in this. We’re a team,” Ellison Weaver said. “I’m just so excited and blessed to be part of this amazing team. We did it and it just feels amazing.”