Simply stated, that is how Clearfield coach Brooke Pehrson approaches every match her boys volleyball team plays.

On Monday, the No. 12 Falcons did just that, hosting a 5A first-round playoff game for the second straight year, and advancing to the second round with a straight set 3-0 (25-16, 25-22, 25-15) shutout of No. 21 Hunter.

“That’s always the goal, to be the highest ranked team that we can be — whether it’s a bye or a home seed,” Pehrson said.

In Hunter, the Falcons faced a familiar foe, a team they beat earlier this year at a tournament in Tooele, and also eliminated in the second round of last year’s playoffs.

Still, both teams have evolved, as the cast of characters changed from last year and has also progressed this season.

“They’re different from last year, and so are we. We kind of knew what to expect coming in and had to be on our guard because they got better, but we’ve also gotten better,” Clearfield junior setter Max Bohman said. “We’ve improved with a year of experience with guys that have been there and know what to expect.”

At 16-12, Clearfield has matched last year’s win total, blending the old with the new.

“We had a lot of seniors graduate, but people were thinking we would do well with the kids we brought back,” Pehrson said. “Then we recruited a bunch of kids this year that are athletes — basketball players and football players — and they have stepped in and learned to play volleyball and become really good volleyball athletes.

Clearfield flew out of the gates fast, concluding the first set, 25-16, on a kill by Bohman.

“I was super excited; I was fired up,” Bohman said. “In our pregame huddle, coach told everyone to be confident, be comfortable … go out there and dominate.”

The second set wasn’t quite the same story. Clearfield fell behind 7-2 and was tied 16-16 before pulling it out 25-22.

“After the first set, we were a little bit tired and weren’t as aggressive; we took our foot off the pedal,” Bohman said. “Coach talked to us and said to go out and play clean volleyball. We took that to mind and did just that.”

Returning to form, the Falcons coasted 25-15 in the third set for the clean sweep of the Wolverines (10-18).

Bohman led the way with 32 assists for the Falcons.

“My job is to better the second ball off the pass and set up my hitters for success,” Bohman said. “Stay calm and put them in the best position to go get kills.”

Senior outside hitter Sebastian Rodriguez was the main benefactor of Bohman’s assists, finishing the match with 13 kills for the Falcons.

“I’m trying to be smart with the ball; trying to figure out what works best … what is going on with the defense, where they move around, and swing when I need to,” Rodriguez said. “It took me a while to find the flow and chemistry of our players this year, but now I’ve been able to help our team after that.”

Rodriguez, Nathan Toone and Gabe Christensen all had nine digs to aid the Clearfield cause.

Clearfield defeated Highland 3-2 in its first-round home match last year, then beat Hunter 3-1 in the second round before falling 3-0 to Bountiful in the quarterfinals.

This year, the Falcons now square off against Region 5 opponent and No. 5 seed Viewmont (16-6) at 3:30 p.m. Friday at UVU in the second round.

Viewmont twice swept Clearfield in region play, so the Falcons are seeking a reversal of fortune in the playoffs.

“Our team goal is to go as deep as we can; try to win as much as we can,” Rodriguez said. “Play our hearts out; leave everything on the court. It’s my senior year. I can’t leave anything behind … do what I can do to get our team as far as we can.”

“Always expecting to win,” Pehrson reiterated.

SCORES, NO STATS REPORTED

5A first round: No. 13 Spanish Fork 3, No. 20 Bonneville 0 (25-19, 25-20, 25-15)

5A first round: No. 11 West Jordan 3, No. 22 Roy 2 (25-22, 20-25, 25-15, 16-25, 15-8)