Head coach Steven Reid reflects on development-oriented season
By Jack Reaney SENIOR EDITOR
Lone Peak High School’s volleyball team completed their JV-only season on Saturday, Oct. 25, with plans to return to the varsity level next season.
Head coach Steven Reid emphasized development throughout the season, focusing less on wins and losses and more on rebuilding the young program. Though the Big Horns improved dramatically during the 2025 season, Reid continues to let players know that they’ll face another steep learning curve in 2026 against Class B varsity competition.
Fortunately, he feels “very confident” about the group of girls who will put in work during the offseason and show up ready to play next fall.
“The best part of this team is, these girls have been playing together since middle school, and they’re all really close friends,” Reid told EBS in a phone call “… They’re very focused on the future and looking forward as well.”
One key player won’t return: senior Avery Graham was honored in her final home game on Saturday in a tight loss against Three Forks High School.
Reid would have understood Graham’s decision to quit before the season, upon her learning it would be JV-only after prior years of varsity competition. But Graham committed to sticking around in support of the program, and Reid said her teammates will always remember her personal sacrifice and leadership.
“It was just amazing to have her this year… It was a struggle for her at times, but ultimately she decided to be there, felt it was important to her teammates that she was there,” Reid said.
Specifically, Graham took the team’s youngest player, eighth-grader Lili Dalrymple, under her wing, offering suggestions and guidance to an eager understudy. Reid said it was one of the most important individual contributions to the team.
The team wrapped up with close games against strong teams, Reid said, and while they ended in five-set losses, the growth was evident.
“This season was just all about development, and growing, and we did that very well,” Reid said. “… I really believe in this team, and after next season—I know next season could be a struggle—but I believe this team could be a real force in the conference.”
