Salt Lake Academy’s Elijah Johnson (27) hits past the block of American Heritage’s Sam Reed (27) and Jacob Fullmer (19) during the boys 2A state volleyball championship match at the UCCU Center in Orem on Saturday, May 9, 2026. Rio Giancarlo, 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.

2A Player of the Year

Elijah Johnson, Salt Lake Academy, OH, Sr.

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311 kills, hit .202, 54 aces, 171 digs, 17 blocks.

2A Playoff MVP

Ryder Harrison, Salt Lake Academy, S, Jr.

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Elijah Johnson, Salt Lake Academy | Provided by SLA
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Peter Jacobson, American Heritage | Provided by American Heritage
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Takeo Derby, Salt Lake Academy | Provided by SLA
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Brock Rhodes, Salt Lake Academy | Provided by SLA
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Brock Rhodes, Salt Lake Academy | Provided by SLA
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Dallin Castle, American Heritage | Provided by American Heritage
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Je’Vanko Stewart, Maeser Prep | Provided by Maeser Prep
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Vincent Butler, UMA Hill Field | Provided by UMAHF

2A First Team

  • Peter Jacobson, American Heritage, OH, Sr. — 282 kills, hit .261, 47 aces, 32 blocks.
  • Takeo Derby, Salt Lake Academy, OH, Sr. — 302 kills, hit .171, 220 digs, 45 aces.
  • Brock Rhodes, Salt Lake Academy, MB, Jr. — 166 kills, hit .372, 84 blocks, 38 aces.
  • Ryder Harrison, Salt Lake Academy, S, Jr. — 731 assists, 254 digs, 73 aces.
  • Dallin Castle, American Heritage, OH, Jr. — 212 kills, hit .366, 36 blocks.
  • Je’Vanko Stewart, Maeser Prep, Pin/RS, Fr. — 147 kills, 35 aces, 27 blocks.
  • Vincent Butler, UMA Hill Field, S/OH, Sr. — 6.3 assists/set, 1 ace/set, 7 digs/match.
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Quincy Butler, UMA Hill Field | Provided by UMAHF
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Lincoln Ericson, American Heritage | Provided by American Heritage
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Gary Williams Jr., Dugway | Provided by Dugway
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Joe Black, Freedom Prep | Provided by Freedom Prep
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Kohen Biggs, Salt Lake Academy | Provided by SLA
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Joaquin Quevedo, Draper APA | Provided by Draper APA
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Kayber Brinceño, Draper APA | Provided by Draper APA

2A Second Team

  • Quincy Butler, UMA Hill Field, OH, Sr.
  • Lincoln Ericson, American Heritage, S, Jr.
  • Gary Williams Jr., Dugway, MH, So.
  • Joe Black, Freedom Prep, OH, Sr.
  • Kohen Biggs, Salt Lake Academy, OPP/DS, Jr.
  • Joaquin Quevedo, Draper APA, OH, Jr.
  • Kayber Brinceño, Draper APA, S, Sr.

2A Third Team

  • Damian Rivadeneira, Salt Lake Academy, Lib., Fr.
  • Joshua Richardson, Maeser Prep, MB, So.
  • Ammon Mefford, Maeser Prep, S, So.
  • Yazeed Sarhan, Draper APA, MB, Sr.
  • Kadyn Salas, Dugway, S, So.
  • Ever Asay, Freedom Prep, S, Sr.
  • Zayne Howe, Freedom Prep, OH, Sr.

2A Honorable Mention

  • Nathanael Peterson, Vanguard, Sr.
  • Ethan McLaughlin, Draper APA, OPP, Sr.
  • Kason Crafts, Draper APA, Lib/OH/OPP, Sr.
  • Jake Kushiyama, Dugway, S, Sr.
  • Corbin Jenkins, Vanguard, Jr.
  • Sebastian Tolentino, Dugway, OH, Sr.
  • Quaid Elton, Dugway, OH, Sr.
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