Mountain Ridge’s Nesta Vaitai and Brayden Kelleher work to block a shot as they play in the 6A volleyball tournament in the UCCU Center at UVU in Orem on Friday, May 9, 2025. Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
James Edward
By James Edward
James has been covering high school sports in Utah for the Deseret News for three decades.

Note: The Deseret News all-state teams are based exclusively on coaches’ votes from a list of nominated players from each team.

6A Player of the Year

Nesta Vaitai, Mountain Ridge, S/Opp, Jr.

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34 aces, 305 assists, 153 kills, .294 hitting %

6A Playoff MVP

JJ Faiivae, Bingham, OPP, So.

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Nesta Vaitai, Mountain Ridge | Provided by Mountain Ridge
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JJ Faiivae, Bingham | Provided by Bingham
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Cooper Varner, Corner Canyon | Provided by Corner Canyon
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Tony Kowalewski, Herriman | Provided by Herriman
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Ashton Shewell, Lehi | Provided by Lehi
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Kilika Tafa, Westlake | Provided by Westlake
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Evan Olmstead, American Fork | Provided by American Fork
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Alex Goncalves, Bingham | Provided by Bingham

6A First Team

  • JJ Faiivae, Bingham, OPP, So. — 2.4 kills per set, .311 hitting percentage.
  • Cooper Varner, Corner Canyon, OH, Sr. — 4.3 kills per set, 346 Kills, 21 aces
  • Tony Kowalewski, Herriman, OH, Sr. — Helped Herriman to runner-up Region 2 finish
  • Ashton Shewell, Lehi, OH, So. — 394 kills, 187 digs, 30 aces, .367 hitting %.
  • Kilika Tafa, Westlake, OH, Jr. — 326 kills, 3.9 kills/set, .241 hitting %, 28 aces, 40 blocks
  • Evan Olmstead, American Fork, Lib, Sr. — 2.24 passing average, 397 digs.
  • Alex Goncalves, Bingham, MB, Sr. — 70 blocks, .270 hitting %
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Luke McKnight, Davis | Provided by Davis
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Brady Holt, Lone Peak | Provided by Lone Peak
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Curtis Fowler, Mountain Ridge | Provided by Mountain Ridge
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Archer Burke, Corner Canyon | Provided by Corner Canyon
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Keagan Cundiff, Westlake | Provided by Westlake
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Tavin Fulton, Farmington | Provided by Farmington
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Pearce Eliason, Farmington | Provided by Farmington

6A Second Team

  • Luke McKnight, Davis, OH, Sr.
  • Brady Holt, Lone Peak, OH, So.
  • Curtis Fowler, Mountain Ridge, S/Opp, Sr.
  • Archer Burke, Corner Canyon, S, Jr.
  • Keagan Cundiff, Westlake, S, Sr.
  • Tavin Fulton, Farmington, S, Sr.
  • Pearce Eliason, Farmington, OH, Jr.

6A Third Team

  • Brayden Thomas, Pleasant Grove, OH, Sr.
  • Gabe Meredith, Syracuse, Opp, Sr.
  • Clark Fowler, Mountain Ridge, OH, Jr.
  • Brody Siddoway, Bingham, OH, So.
  • Ty Reynolds, Lehi, Setter, So.
  • Spencer Smith, Bingham, Lib, Sr.
  • Harrison Van Horn, Riverton, S/OH, Sr.

6A Honorable Mention

  • Chase Valentine, Davis, OH, Sr.
  • Marcus Reittinger, Skyridge, OH, Sr.
  • Yuvraj Multani, Farmington, MH, Jr.
  • Seth Bushell, Bingham, Setter, Sr.
  • Will Dayton, Lone Peak, S, Jr.
  • Brayden Kelleher, Mountain Ridge, MB, Sr.
  • Max Hale, American Fork, OH, Sr.
  • Talon Schank, Westlake, Lib, Sr.
  • Aki Malietoa, Pleasant Grove, MB, Jr.
  • Agustin Paz, Copper Hills, S, Sr.
  • Ian Wilson, Lehi, OPP, Sr.
  • Mattix Huffman, Herriman, Lib, Sr.
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