2025 UHSAA State Tournament: Players of the Year

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the 2025 all-state teams being announced, it's time to do a breakdown of the players that carved out their place among the best. Throughout the course of the next several installments, we'll review the athletes and players who established themselves as key components to their teams success, elevated their programs, and excelled amongst the competition in their respective divisions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Each player who made the list is of high-level caliber, but no honor carries more weight than the Player of the Year<strong>.</strong> Within each of the six classes an athlete was chosen because of their caliber of play and the impact in their division and season. Meet the seven athletes who established themselves as some of Utah's top performers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["830129"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-692f4f483c802"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='830129' first='Avery' last='Poulton'] capped off her last season as a Wildcat not only as a 2025 state champion, but also as Utah's Ms. Volleyball -- solidifying her place on top of the states most elite athletes. On the season she hit an impressive .429, posted 1,327 career kills with 946 digs. Her physical abilities were second to none in her class and very few could rival her presence at the net. She will continue to dominate at the next level as she heads off to Kansas this winter to begin her collegiate career. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Tayt Miller ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'8u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32564","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Panguitch","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-692f4f483c969"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Tayt Miller helped lead the Paguitch Bobcats to claiming the 1A state title. As a 5'8 outside and a 2-year varsity starter, she posted 406 kills, 341 digs, and 62 aces. Her leadership and competitive edge gave her teammates the fuel they needed to take the trophy in a close 4 set match. She was consistent, poised, and fearless which makes for a great leader and asset to any team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["831751"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-692f4f483c9bd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Standing at 5'11, [player_tooltip player_id='831751' first='Ellie' last='Stephens'] athleticism and strength reign amongst the top in her class. Finishing off the season with a .414 hitting percentage, 498 kills, and 256 digs Ellie helped lead her team to a a state championship title. Her versatility on the outside and middle establish her as an offensive threat at the net. She swings hard with intention and showcases an impressive range to score. With Ellie returning, North Summit will be back again to claim another 2A state title. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["894407"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-692f4f483ca06"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">There was no question who was going to be receiving this title. For the 3A division, [player_tooltip player_id='894407' first='Rylee' last='Stewart'] continues to prove her caliber as a player and her potential to dominate wherever she ends up. On this season she hit a .438 -- ranking first in the state of Utah -- with 566 kills and 263 digs. She is already a steady, high-level performer, but she is still continuing to grow and refine her game. With Rylee returning she will continue to elevate this program and command the seasons ahead.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["500061"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-692f4f483ca4b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 4A Player of The Year was none other than [player_tooltip player_id='500061' first='Annie' last='Gilmore'] from Desert Hills. As a state champion and a POY, you could say her first and last season with the Thunder was a success. She had 407 kills, 277 digs, and 57 aces speaking to her all-around impact in the front and back row. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["892938"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-692f4f483ca8f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='892938' first='Isa' last='Taylor'] claims the title for Player of the Year for the 5A division. Her ball control, offensive abilities, serve receive, and leadership qualities make her an irreplaceable asset for the Eagles. As a 4-year varsity starter, she posted a career 1,049 kills, 832 digs, and 132 aces proving her abilities as a 6-rotation outside that will transition over into her collegiate career. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["806225"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-692f4f483cad4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='806225' first='Kylie' last='Buttars'], the BYU commit from the 6A state-runner up Skyridge, closed out her high school career with 1,077 kills, 581 digs, and 189 aces. Her production, consistency, and presence on the court made her a cornerstone in the Falcons success these past seasons and highlighted the kind of impact she is going to make at the collegiate level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Just a reminder to all volleyball athletes in Utah — with club season right around the corner, I'd love to feature more of you!&nbsp;<strong>If you'd like to be included, please send me your club schedule along with some basic information about yourself: your club team, position, and coach.&nbsp;</strong>Feel free to also share a little bit about your story and who you are!&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With how much volleyball has grown in Utah, it's getting tougher to keep track of all the talented athletes out there, so don't hesitate to reach out! I'll do my best to come watch you in action and you can find my email in the Utah scouts section. I'm looking forward to connecting with you all and seeing you on the court!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->