CEDAR CITY, Utah (June 3, 2026) – The Larry H. Miller Utah Summer Games reached a new milestone this week as Youth Volleyball took center stage, combining elite instruction with high-energy competition. The three-day event, held from June 1-3, marked the first time the Games hosted a dedicated skills clinic alongside the traditional tournament, drawing 65 athletes to the clinic at SUU and 33 teams to the tournament spread across venues in southern Utah.

The festivities began Monday at Southern Utah University's J.L. Sorenson Physical Education Building with an all-day clinic for boys and girls across four age divisions. Led by SUU coaching staff, the clinic aimed to bridge the gap between youth play and collegiate aspirations.

"The younger that you can teach these kids to love the game, the longer it stays with them," said Danielle Jensen, SUU Volleyball Head Coach and Youth Volleyball Clinic Sport Coordinator. "They just build a love for the sport, but then I also think they build a love for where they live and where they come from."

Graduate Assistant Duru Ozkan, who recently finished her own collegiate playing career, noted that the clinic allowed young players to see what "real volleyball" looks like at the next level.

"In the young age when you're good at it, you just feel better about yourself and you just want to build on it," Ozkan said. "I think the love that I have for the sport just made me realize that I could sacrifice... and see what sports hold for me."

The momentum shifted to the hardwood on Tuesday and Wednesday for round-robin pool play and bracket competition. With 33 teams competing across varsity, JV, and youth divisions, the tournament served as a vital offseason tool for building team identity.

For local teams like Cedar Varsity, the opportunity to compete at the America First Event Center (AFEC) offered a "dream" environment.

"Summer is a good time to first start with getting chemistry for the season," explained Cedar Varsity coach Nicole Anglin. "It's so cool that we can be in the arena and play on a college court. It's like, let's dream big and go for it."

Coach Megan Bracken of Enterprise echoed the importance of the Summer Games for fostering a love of the game.

"It gives the girls an opportunity to come together after maybe not being together since last season," Bracken said. "They remember their love of the game and what they need to work on throughout the summer."

The final day of the tournament saw palpable energy and huge crowds as teams battled for gold medals. In the premier divisions, the local powerhouse Canyon View High School swept the high school ranks, while club teams Ignite and Tsunami took home the youth titles.

"This gives them an opportunity to be competitive while still having a super fun environment," said sport coordinator Mandie Matheson. "The off-season is incredibly vital for them to be able to develop their skills... and take some risks."

Up Next

The Summer Games will feature even more action on the court and in the sand as part of its 2026 programming. Coed Volleyball serves things off on June 6, followed by the Women's Volleyball Tournament on June 19 and 20. Closing out the month's slate, Outdoor Volleyball takes center stage on June 27 to keep the excitement going through the month of sport. Teams and individuals interested in registering for the Games can sign up at utahsummergames.org.

Photos by Shania Hopkins: