It unfortunately wasn’t to be for the Miners girls volleyball squad Saturday, who fell in the state championship game to Orem three sets to none. Park City was largely dominated in the three sets by the top-seeds, whom they had beaten in a tightly-contested home game Sept. 12. The Miners won three games over West Field, Mountain View and Green Canyon Friday and Saturday en route to the title game. The Green Canyon win came Saturday by a margin of three sets to one. The second set was won 30-28, and Miners head coach Matt Carlson thought the grueling win took it out of his team for the title game. Carlson also thought the team was so concerned with taking it game-by-game to make the title game, that they were unprepared once they made it. Even in defeat, Carlson is immensely proud of all that this team accomplished. Sept. 13 coach Kai Nielson was placed on administrative leave due to alleged comments he made regarding sexual assault, and they went 16-5 since then, winning the regional title. “It was such a rewarding experience to see the girls really come together through all the adversity throughout the year, fight for each other and play for their community and represent Park City the way they did,” said Carlson. “What an amazing way to cap off such an incredible season.”The regional title Oct. 22 came on senior night for the Miners. It was a do-or-die win over Hillcrest, a memorable moment for the team. Carlson said his team started to hit their stride at the state tournament in their second and third games. He credited Bella Beatty, Cadence Lyon and others for some excellent play along the way. Carlson hopes everyone shares in his positive takeaways from the season.Senior libero Anya Pushka raises the Region 10 volleyball trophy over her head after defeating the Hillcrest Huskies in three straight sets Oct. 22. Credit: File photo by Clayton Steward/Park Record“I think the (Green Canyon) game was tough,” added Carlson. “It took a toll on us mentally, physically and emotionally. … Orem played phenomenally. Props to them. They had a great game plan.”Carlson saw players on his team panic when Orem began to take a lead Saturday. He would’ve liked to see the team stick to the habits and play that had got them so far. The ninth-year coach believes some further playoff experience last fall would’ve paid huge dividends this year. Carlson sees next year’s squad as another one primed for a big playoff run. Despite graduating 10 seniors off this year’s team, there will plenty of returning starters and talented up-and-comers. Even in the loss, this year’s team got to experience the unique atmosphere of a state championship game at Utah Valley University’s UCCU Center. Hundreds of family, friends and other spectators cheered on both teams, with many others watching from afar. Carlson said there’s nothing like a state title game, even including a club national championship game. “Championships are won in the offseason,” said Carlson on next year’s team. “You always encourage athletes to make sure that during the offseason they’re getting better. We want them, when they return, to be significantly better than when they left.”The 2025 girls volleyball season will likely begin again in late-August. The Miners boys volleyball squad will kick off their second-ever season in early March.The post Miners girls volleyball falls in state championship game to Orem appeared first on Park Record.