First, coach Analaine Mailoto missed tryouts while attending a funeral in American Samoa, then her booked flight home was delayed in Hawaii due to tsunami dangers and she missed two days of practice.

Speaking of bookings, Davis double-booked a scheduled match Tuesday with Fremont and the game was canceled, so Thursday was the Silverwolves’ first time on the court in competition.

With school not yet in session this year, no one thought to turn on the air-conditioner and two large fans at the east end of the “Wolf Den” did little to mitigate the heat of a 91-degree day outside.

Speaking of fans, more than 20 vociferous football players enthusiastically supported the volleyball team from the bleachers early in the match, but most had left by the time the fourth set finished.

BRIAN WOLFER, Special to the Standard-Examiner

A rotation error in the first set turned a 4-3 Fremont lead into a deficit and the Silverwolves lost it by three. Fremont led the frame 19-17 late, but Farmington closed on an 8-3 run to capture the 25-22 triumph.

Still, undaunted and undeterred, the Silverwolves prevailed 3-1 (22-25, 25-19, 25-21, 25-21) in a spirited non-region victory over the Phoenix.

“We had that weird beginning and I think that kind of contributed to it … broke down a little bit at the end, so that set was a little off,” Mailoto said. “We talked and said, ‘Are we going to worry about it or move on? We’re going to move on. OK, good, let’s move on.’ So that’s what we did.

“They did really good. We’re playing really mature right now. It’s our first game; we’re moving in the right direction,” Mailoto said.

Neither team had an extended streak during the final three sets, but Fremont clawed its way to the win.

BRIAN WOLFER, Special to the Standard-Examiner

“The first game we got a little nervous but after we figured out where we were and where we stood, it helped us have more confidence and trust each other as a team and go out and win the next three,” tri-year junior Brooklyn Smedley said.

Set four, in particular, was tight, with 21 total ties or lead changes.

“We definitely had first game jitters, but we got over it,” Fremont middle Maya Jensen said. “We came together; we had a good talk about fighting for each other and playing together.

“Farmington is a good team and we were super glad to play them first.”

Jensen is one of two seniors for Fremont, with attrition, and West Field having siphoned off many would-be upperclassmen, contributing to a young team. She had one ace, five kills, one block and one assist for the Silverwolves during the match.

BRIAN WOLFER, Special to the Standard-Examiner

Libero Daphnie Moyes had 17 digs and the other Fremont senior, Addie Funk, smashed six kills. Outside hitter Olivia Surrage recorded a huge overall game with four aces, 11 kills and six digs.

Smedley was a big cog for the Silverwolves, tallying three aces, six kills and 28 assists.

“It was super fun; I love to set for all the girls. I feel like I did pretty good with the middles today and we really started to connect at the end,” Smedley said. “On my kills, you just have to be smart with where you place the ball on the other side of the net and control it.”

“I like to hit to seams and places where the setter might be coming up, because there’s going to be more holes,” Smedley said.

All of their travails are now water under the bridge and the Silverwolves look forward to a successful season.

BRIAN WOLFER, Special to the Standard-Examiner

“We did pretty good last year but this year we want to take state; that’s always the goal every year,” Jensen said.

Farmington hitter Sara Rathbun (20) rises for a swing at Fremont on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025, in Plain City.

Fremont High middle hitter Addie Funk (9) celebrates a point with her teammates, including Mia McArthur (2), on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025, in Plain City.

Fremont High setter Brooklyn Smedley receives the ball on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025, in Plain City.

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