This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Something about passion — Maddie Day has it.
Her passion for volleyball and her teammates drove her to play every game as if it were her last and give everything she has for her Sky View teammates.
"You are not going to win just on talent," Day said. "You need to have heart, determination and desire to be the best."
The 6-foot senior was the cornerstone in a dominating front line. The Bobcats went 28-1 with Day leading the charge this season.
"Anyone can step up and lead this team," Day said. "I took it upon myself to be a leader and knew my teammates had my back."
Day was Sky View's vocal leader and led the team in kills. She reminded her teammates about the goals laid out at the beginning of the season during their run to the state championship.
"We were to win our region outright, beat Salem Hills and take state," Day said. "We took every game one at a time, one point at a time."
The Bobcats went undefeated in regional play and bested Salem Hills in the semifinals.
Sky View was pushed to the limits in the Class 4A title match against Timpview. Sky View's first match of the season to go five sets was a grueling affair that tested Day in the closing moments. During a timeout, Bobcats coach Malayna Knowles challenged the exhausted Day one last time.
"Did I have what it takes to win?" Day said. "Everything I've done is for my team, and I wanted to do it for them."
Day went out and served the Bobcats to a title. With 24 kills, the Utah State commit earned the title of 4A MVP and completed her checklist for the season. The state title was the Bobcats' first since 1994.
Day credits the commitment of her teammates as a driving force behind her success.
"I love my team so much," she said. "I would do this high school thing a thousand times. I couldn't have gone out with a better team, better coach or a better season."