The Lehi Pioneers girls volleyball team opens its 2026 season Tuesday, Aug. 11, at home against Westlake, fielding a roster with zero seniors and a lineup built around three returning statistical leaders.

First serve is set for about 6:30 p.m.

Third-year head coach Alise Bowles isn't treating the youth as a liability.

"We may not have any seniors this year, but our young kids have grit, tenacity and a hunger to be really mindful in how they approach their games," Bowles told Lehi Free Press.

The Pioneers finished 12-13 last season. Three returners anchor the rebuild.

Junior outside hitter Aliya Shewell, a six-rotation player since her freshman year, averaged 3.2 kills, 2.2 digs and 3.8 serve-receives per match in 2025 with a 35.2% kill percentage. She added 53 aces, 26 combined blocks and 13 assists. Bowles called her the team's passing anchor at a 1.9 rating for the season. Shewell's older brother Ashton was named Deseret News Mr. Volleyball in June.

Sophomore hitter Laken Bell has grown to 6-foot-1 and appeared in 86% of Lehi's sets last year, posting 129 kills, 17 aces, 119 points, 24 combined blocks and 40 digs. Bowles said she is eager to see what Bell can bring at the net on offense and defense.

Junior Aftyn Hurst moves to libero after leading the team with 218 points last season. She collected 36 aces and averaged 1.7 digs and 3.2 serve-receives per set. Bowles praised her as one of the team's highest ace-percentage servers.

Sophomore newcomer Paisley Brems takes over as starting setter. Bowles has coached Brems in club volleyball and described her as a "quarterback-type leader" who finds hitters in scoring situations.

The Pioneers face a gauntlet in Region 3. The Deseret News preseason 6A coaches poll slotted three Region 3 teams in the top three: No. 1 Corner Canyon, No. 2 Lone Peak and No. 3 Skyridge. American Fork also received multiple votes.

Corner Canyon won its first state title in school history in 2025 and returns first-team all-state setter Nafanua Alofipo, junior middle blocker Maija Mortensen and junior outside hitter Maia Schwalgger. Lone Peak brings back senior outside hitter Ava Burgess, whom Bowles called "the best pin in the state." Skyridge returns senior libero Estelle Slaney, and American Fork has senior outside hitter Macy Melville and senior setter Brynn Murray.

Bowles said she expects her squad to compete in the region race.

"We know it's going to be a challenge, but we are expecting to be right in the thick of it," she said.

Lehi hosts Olympus on Thursday, Aug. 13, with varsity first serve again at about 6:30 p.m.