Boys volleyball: Pausing perfect region season, Syracuse starts strong at Ogden High tournament | News, Sports, Jobs

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Syracuse’s Davis Caldwell (22) fires a big swing against Granger players LJ Mano (11) and Mason Biddulph (5) on Friday, April 26, 2024, at Ogden High.

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Syracuse players Caleb Roskelley (10) and Gabe Meredith (25) slap hands after a point in a match against Granger on Friday, April 26, 2024, at Ogden High.

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Syracuse’s Caleb Roskelley (10) sets a ball as Granger’s KJ Faaome (6) watches on Friday, April 26, 2024, at Ogden High.

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Syracuse’s Joshua Godrey (13) rises for a swing against Granger’s LJ Mano (11) on Friday, April 26, 2024, at Ogden High.

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Syracuse’s Branson Hamblin takes a swing in a match against Granger on Friday, April 26, 2024, at Ogden High.

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Syracuse’s Chase Barrett, front, digs a Granger hit on Friday, April 26, 2024, at Ogden High.

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Syracuse’s Davis Caldwell, left, tries to hit past Granger’s Logan Figueroa (21) on Friday, April 26, 2024, at Ogden High.

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Syracuse’s Caleb Roskelley (10) sets a ball against Granger on Friday, April 26, 2024, at Ogden High.

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Syracuse’s Branson Hamblin serves against Granger on Friday, April 26, 2024, at Ogden High.

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OGDEN — They briefly ran out of volleyballs during the first match of the Tiger Trials tournament Friday between Syracuse and Granger.

Playing in the smaller auxiliary gym at Ogden High, two game balls got caught in the low-hanging ceiling nets as both teams dug deep to return kill shots and the ricochets got tangled up above.

It may have happened in a girls match also, but Syracuse coach Corrie Vigil said that is one difference she has noticed in the boys game, new this year to high schools.

“I have some really skilled girls and great athletes, but boys, they jump higher, they’re bigger, they’re stronger. That aspect of it you don’t get with the girls,” Vigil said. “It’s nice to see the athleticism all around and try to coach the boys through skill and all that.”

Syracuse (13-6) swept Granger 25-11, 25-12 in the first of its three pool-play matches Friday night at the eight-team event hosted by Ogden, with bracket play coming Saturday.

“I sort of pulled some kids out because they were tired last night (a come-from-behind, 3-2 Region 1 win against Davis), trying to manage that a little bit; making sure everyone is as fresh as possible,” Vigil said. “Today it’s best 2 of 3 (sets), tomorrow 3 of 5. Take care of business. Do your job so you’re not going 5.

“We typically have a couple of varsity tournaments during the season; try to fit them in where it works, region-wise. I thought this was a good time,” Vigil said.

Senior outside hitter Davis Caldwell played a big part in the Syracuse win with eight kills and five digs. He started playing club volleyball two years ago with several teammates and said they have come a long way since then.

“I initially played for club Venom in Roy for the first year and did pretty terrible … then Syracuse club last year and went back to Venom — that’s where a lot of improvement came from,” Caldwell said. “Luke (Flitton), our setter Caleb (Roskelley) and Breggan Prince all played together there and now we’re playing here. Caleb and me have a connection; he sets me up for a lot of it.”

Roskelley had 24 assists and nine digs for the Titans, while Chase Barrett added nine kills and 11 digs.

The Titans came out strong against Granger after improving their Region 1 record to 7-0 in their five-set victory Thursday over Davis.

“We put a lot of work in at practice; we trailed 0-2 (Thursday), but felt we’d come too far at this point to give up. We dug in and gave it everything we had and it worked out.”

Vigil missed the Davis game to attend her son’s graduation from BYU but watched film later and was proud of the way her team battled back.

“We weren’t as clean as we usually are; not as disciplined,” Vigil said. “We showed grit, worked hard and fought back. It was a great defensive match on both sides. I told the boys they have put themselves in a great situation to do some really good things. We’ll see what happens.”

Syracuse later swept Utah Military Academy-Hill Field (of Riverdale) 25-12, 25-12. Friday’s final games were scheduled to start at 9 pm

Joining Syracuse, its first two opponents and host Ogden at the event are Clearfield, Logan, Woods Cross and Murray.

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