August 30, 2025

Article By Nick Wade

OREM, UTAH – When the final point dropped on the hardwood of Lockhart Arena, the Boise State Broncos celebrated more than just a win. They celebrated a flawless weekend, a perfect 3-0 sweep through the Utah Valley Invitational Tournament, and perhaps most importantly, the emergence of a team that looks poised to chase down the Mountain West Championship that has eluded them since 2021.

The Broncos opened the tournament with a five-set thriller against Navy that tested their grit, steadiness, and resolve. Falling behind after dropping the first set 27-25, Boise State answered with a 25-21 response before losing another narrow frame 26-24. Many teams would have folded in that situation, but the Broncos showed resilience under head coach Shawn Garus. They blitzed through the fourth set 25-12 with an intensity that set the tone for the decisive fifth. When the scoreboard flashed 15-12 in their favor, it was the blend of experience and youthful firepower that made the difference.

The heart of that opener was Eliza Sharp, who turned in 15 kills, 4 blocks, 17 points, and a strong defensive presence to make her first emphatic statement of the tournament. It was the kind of performance that hinted at the MVP honor that would later be draped over her shoulders. Alongside her, Layla Smith matched her with 15 kills, 3 blocks, and 16.5 points, while Sydney Dreeves was a revelation with 14 kills 1 ace, 3 blocks, and 17 points, sprinkling in eight digs to showcase her versatility. Arianna Bilby chipped in 12 kills and 12 digs, proving why she is one of the team’s most reliable two-way players. Complementing this offensive production were setters Lilli Etter and Elle Cotton.  Etter turned in an ace, 11 digs, and a whopping 36 assists while Cotton performed at a high level with 31 assists of her own.  But as dazzling as the offensive stats were, the backbone remained the steady libero play of Breanna Mitchell, who turned in 4 assists, 2 aces and scooped up an astonishing 32 digs, controlling the floor and keeping rallies alive when the momentum threatened to tilt away. In that moment, Mitchell’s reliability reminded everyone why she has become the standard of dependability for this program and was named to the Preseason All-Mountain West Team.

The second match was less dramatic but no less dominant. Boise State swept through in straight sets, 25-21, 25-19, 25-20, against Montana improving to 2-0 with a swagger that carried over from their first win. Once again, the distribution of talent stood out. Sharp’s impact was more defensive than offensive in this match, registering three kills but adding 10 blocks that disrupted Montana’s rhythm at the net. Kailyn Jager’s consistency emerged with 11 kills, an ace, and 11.5 points, combining clean swings with defensive support on the back row. Giselle Paedon added eight kills and two key blocks, while Mitchell chipped in 4 assists and18 digs, proving her tireless energy was more than just a one-night effort. Even setter Lilli Etter put her fingerprints on the victory, tallying 20 assists and 10 digs, and orchestrating the offense with patience and vision. The sweep underscored the balance of Boise State’s roster: when one star has a quiet night, another rises without hesitation.

By the time the Broncos reached their final match, the narrative had shifted from “promising start” to “complete statement.” Facing another five-set war, Boise State once again refused to blink. Dropping the opening frame 25-20 only lit a fire, as they responded with commanding 25-18 and 25-14 wins in the next two sets. Even after stumbling 25-22 in the fourth, they found the resilience to finish with a 15-13 clincher that capped off a perfect road trip and stamped their 3-0 record. This was no ordinary early-season sweep; this was a team planting its flag in the national conversation.

The finale was the showcase for Jager, who posted 15 kills, 19 points, six digs, and six blocks, putting together the most complete match of her young season. Dreeves continued her consistent excellence with 2 aces, 10 kills, 12 points, and 10 digs, demonstrating the balance that makes her invaluable in five-set battles. Mitchell, once again the stabilizing presence, dug up 23 balls and even chipped in five assists to complement her defensive brilliance. Etter and Elle Cotton split the setting duties beautifully, combining for nearly 50 assists between them while also contributing defensively with double-digit digs. Lilli Etter also posted an ace and 10 digs.  The numbers spoke loudly, but the cohesion was louder. This was a team winning because it trusted each other.

The honor of Tournament MVP went to Eliza Sharp, whose 15 kills in the opener and defensive dominance throughout the weekend showcased her as the rising star the Broncos need following the departure of Legend and future Boise State HOFer Paige Barsch. But the award could have just as easily gone to Mitchell for her relentless digging or Jager for her clutch offensive production. That depth is precisely what makes this squad so dangerous.

As impressive as the stats may be, the broader narrative frames them with even greater weight. In my earlier analysis in my article The Standard, I outlined the “five-year clock” that has defined Boise State athletics: each major program should meet the SMART GOAL expectation of delivering   conference championship within that window, and for volleyball, that clock strikes in 2026. That looming deadline has been more than a backdrop; it has been a challenge, a motivator, and at times, a pressure point. With this tournament victory, Boise State has sent a clear message that they are not just aware of that standard—they intend to meet it head on.

What separates this team from previous iterations is the breadth of its contributors. Sharp has blossomed into a reliable force at the net, Smith brings power with precision, Dreeves is turning into a two-way weapon, and Jager provides the clutch gene every championship contender needs. Paedon adds valuable depth, while Etter and Cotton stabilize the offense with their setting decisions. Mitchell, the defensive anchor, continues to cover more ground than should be humanly possible. This is not a team built around one superstar; this is a team layered with talent at every position. That makes them harder to scout, harder to defend, and more likely to endure the long grind of a Mountain West schedule.

What also stands out is the grit Boise State displayed in their two five-set wins. Championships are rarely won with sweeps alone. They are earned in moments when fatigue sets in, when the margin is razor thin, and when execution under pressure determines everything. By outlasting Utah Valley and then finishing strong in the final match, the Broncos proved they are already equipped for the battles that await in conference play.

There is, of course, work still to be done. Consistency remains the word of the day. The Broncos will need to clean up the stretches of unforced errors that cost them sets one and three in their opener against Navy, as well as the lapses that allowed Utah Valley to push the match to five. But for a program that knows its standard and knows the weight of its timeline, the opening weekend provided exactly the kind of fuel they need.

Looking ahead, the Broncos’ pursuit of the Mountain West crown is not just about 2025; it is about legacy. A title this season would silence any doubts about their ability to meet the standard before the 2026 deadline. It would also cement this group as one of the program’s defining squads. The Utah Valley Invitational Tournament was more than just three wins—it was the planting of a flag. Boise State is here, Boise State is balanced, and Boise State is ready to chase a conference championship an NCAA postseason tournament birth.

As the season rolls forward, the lessons of Orem will linger. Sharp’s MVP breakout. Mitchell’s defensive mastery. Jager’s clutch hitting. Dreeves’ emerging versatility. Each of those threads weaves into a larger story: a team that is building not just toward a successful season, but toward something enduring. They are playing for more than a record. They are playing for the standard. And in 2025, that standard is everything.