It nearly took that entire month, too, for the Darts to finally host a match on its home floor, but, even then, the hometown advantage only took them so far. Isabel Levorsen and Cedar Valley, rallying from a 0-1 start, handed Davis its 10th loss of the season on Wednesday night.

It’s just the fourth time Davis (1-10) has claimed a set from its opponent this season, as a second consecutive loss to the Aviators (3-7) has sixth-year Davis coach McKay Barker, 50-83 in her tenure with the program, asking her roster to look inward to address a series of woes through a difficult preseason start.

It’s been a tough few seasons for the Darts, which haven’t posted more than seven wins in a season since 2023.

“We’re sick of losing, but obviously it doesn’t hurt enough,” Barker said. “But, I also see a lot of improvement over a tough preseason that we set up for a really young team. We have (six) seniors out there, but we have some sophomores and juniors, this is their first time playing varsity (volleyball), and I think having that tough of a preseason for them was really hard on them.”

CONNER BECKER, Standard-Examiner

Returning home for their first home contest in 328 days, Davis senior hitter Zaylee Mabey, one of just six seniors leading the charge this fall, knows the little victories are hard to recognize. It’s all the more reason to value the sets you claim, and not rest back on your heels, the senior said following Wednesday’s loss.

“I think that we got a little bit too relaxed after that first set,” Mabey said. “I think we can definitely push back and work harder in practice.”

Brining some length at the net, Mabey is guiding a young squad through a gauntlet nonregion schedule, including Murray and Woods Cross. The presence of a knowledgeable, third-year senior is an invaluable asset for Barker as the Darts try to get this season back on track.

“She’s just a really awesome example for everyone,” Barker said. “She’s got a good attitude and she’s become a really positive teammate with everyone. Because of that, she’s a natural leader on the court, which is exactly where we need her. I can’t say enough awesome things about her – she’s an awesome kid.”

Davis started the season without two key contributors – Emily Taylor (out) and Daphne (three assists vs. Cedar Valley) – due to injuries sustained during the offseason. With injury, though, comes opportunity, and two sophomores already have Mabey’s attention.

“It’s definitely a lot of responsibility,” Mabey said. “Alyssa Seely’s been great; She’s stepped up for varsity, which has been amazing. Nora Harris, she’s a great middle (blocker) and she’s very versatile, she can play anywhere on the court. Those two have been very impressive this season.”

In Wednesday’s Cedar Valley loss, Seely led Davis with a game-high 12 kills.

The goal, Barker said, is to have between two and three seniors on the court at all times, as to not let her underclassmen slip under pressure or become stagnant between serves.

“Volleyball (is) just a really interesting sport where momentum plays a role in everything,” Barker said. “It plays a role in even the skill that’s on the court. In the first set and a half, we had a lot of momentum and we were rolling with it. All it takes is one or two plays by the other team for that to completely switch.”

Davis enjoys a weeklong break from the grind before another opportunity at a nonregion win next Thursday, Sept. 4, with Lehi at home. The Darts open region play on Thursday, Sept. 10 at Layton.

“Everyone’s in really good spirits in spite of the start that we’ve had,” Barker said. “That was good to see that we can still play to that level, we’ve just got to work on making sure it lasts longer.”

Connect with Standard-Examiner sports reporter Conner Becker via email at cbecker@standard.net, X @ctbecker and Instagram @standardexaminersports.