The Utah girls high school league started with two teams, and now, six years later, it’s 11 teams strong and still growing. The Vipers have always been out in front, winning three state titles in its short existence and competing at nationals (as Lowland). Right now, the team is focused on keeping its form while lending an eye toward a new, stout opponent in Orem, which currently has the state abuzz. The Vipers have taken the first steps toward reclaiming their state title, opening up the season with a 57-10 win over Kau Toa and following with last Saturday’s 74-5 win over Genesis (Spanish Fork).

“We’re really happy with the team this year,” Vipers coach David Shelledy said. “The girls have really picked it up. They’re quite a bit farther ahead than we thought they’d be.”

There are several influences that have helped the team along. First, the Vipers competed in the state’s first-ever girls fall 7s league. Shelledy wasn’t worried about wins and losses so much as participation, and the team’s ballhandling is markedly better for it. Second, some starters have returned after scholastic issues excluded them from last year’s play. Their absence was felt during the 2014 state championship, when Orem eked out a 36-32 win. And third, the Vipers continue to contribute players to the national age-grade teams, and their experiences are warping the expectations of their Utah teammates.

“We’ve had Etta [Mylau], Frieda [Fetu'u], Hedda [Karlsson] and other girls play with the U20s and go to camps,” Shelledy referenced the program’s success. “It helps quite a bit because they’re competing at a higher level, and it helps the girls to see what they have to do to get better. The women’s club players come to practice, too, and they’ve been a big help.”

The Vipers’ most prolific player is now Apauu Mailau, who not only competed on the first-ever Girls High School All American 7s team in Las Vegas, but also represented the USA at the Youth Olympic Games in China. Mailau is the inspiration in the backline, which is supported by a strong class of sophomores.

“Our backline is really solid,” Shelledy said. “All of the girls are really good and fast. Apauu’s our center, but all of the girls around her are starting to get there.”

Junior Seijah Liavaa, and freshmen Tyra Vehikite and Gracie Williams are just a few threats working around Mailau, and watch for sophomore Vei Tau to make an impact as well. And there’s already pressure from the middle schoolers – like 12-year-old Meleane Lokotui, who plays touch with the high schoolers but is on the path to project to the higher levels.

Senior flanker Lindsy Larson is the driving force behind a balanced pack, which is neither small nor overpowering.

“Our front row is shorter but athletic,” Shelledy said. “We’re more concerned about their form, so they work together a lot of the scrum machine. We’re not too worried about the bigger girls, and instead focus on technique, speed, fitness and tackling.

“They get along pretty well,” Shelledy described the chemistry between forwards and backs. “We do like to control the ball and play, and then other times let it go, passing between forwards and backs down the field.”

The Vipers' first big test comes this Saturday, as the team plays 3-0 Herriman. The opportunity to play South Division Orem won’t come until the playoffs (May 8-9), and the Lady Stallions and Vipers are already looking like the “last two standing.” While the Vipers didn’t necessarily dwell on last year’s misstep, it’s safe to say the team wants its state trophy back.

“We had a couple of bad passes, some missed kicks – especially conversions,” Shelledy remembered the 2014 final. “But they just moved on. We really don’t have time to worry about it. You’re always going to have a bad game here and there, so you have to just get back to playing.”