The Hive Sports

by James Tate

2025 record: Overall (9-18) Region (5-9)

Head Coach: Miranda Hernandez – 2nd year

The Bonneville Lakers enter the 2026 season with a renewed sense of clarity and confidence under second-year Head Coach Miranda Hernandez. The team’s identity centers on a shared purpose.

“Common purpose has really become the heartbeat of this team’s identity, and the players are leaning into it in a big way,” Coach Hernandez said. “They’re responding by putting the team first, whether that’s accepting different roles, celebrating each other’s success, or doing the unglamorous work that doesn’t show up in the box score. You see it in how they pick each other up after mistakes and how locked in they are on every pitch, not just when things are going their way.”

Marley Chournos

2025 Deseret News All-State Honorable Mention honoree junior outfielder Marley Chournos returns as a leader and player who ignites the Lakers team. Chournos headlines the group as one of the region’s most dynamic athletes. Her speed, range, and ability to change games offensively make her the centerpiece of Bonneville’s attack.

“She’s embraced an expanded role as both a playmaker and a tone-setter,” Coach Hernandez said. “Her confidence and consistency help drive the team forward, and her presence on the field brings a level of intensity and focus that others feed off of.”

Paired with senior Ellee Summers, the Lakers boast one of the most athletic duos in the state. Summers earned 2025 Standard-Examiner All-Area Second Team honors after a breakout season, and her versatility allows Hernandez to deploy her all over the field depending on matchups and team needs.

Behind the plate, junior Samantha Mills returns as the steadying force of the defense. Her experience and leadership will be crucial as Bonneville brings along a new pitching group. Mills’ ability to manage the game, control tempo, and mentor young arms gives the Lakers a stabilizing presence in one of the sport’s most important positions.

“In a region that’s always competitive, having girls with experience and leadership in key spots is incredibly important,” Coach Hernandez said. “They’ve been through it, they understand the pressure, and they help steady the team in big moments.”

Ellee Summers

Depth, experience, and chemistry: The Lakers’ winning formula

Depth and returning talent give the Lakers a strong foundation to push for a region title this spring.

“That confidence really starts with how complete this group is,” Coach Hernandez said. “First, the depth. You’re not relying on one or two kids to carry the load; you’ve got multiple players who can step in and keep the level of play high. That matters over a long spring when injuries, fatigue, and tight turnarounds hit. Good teams survive those moments; deep teams win them.”

Junior Madilynn DeGroot returns after finishing second on the team in hits last year with 34. DeGroot is an athletic, utility player who showcased her talents with a breakout game last year against the Bountiful Redhawks, going 4-4 with 2 runs scored.

“Second, the returning talent knows what the postseason feels like,” Coach Hernandez said. “They’ve been in big innings, in close games, and they understand how quickly momentum can swing in region play. That experience shows up in the little things, smarter at-bats, cleaner defense, and staying composed when things get tight.”

Senior Andie Elmer returns to add more chemistry and talent to the Lakers team. Elmer sparked a playoff victory over the East Leopards last year, going 3-4 with a home run and three runs batted in.

“And maybe the biggest strength is chemistry,” Coach Hernandez said. “This group has played a lot of innings together, so the trust is already there. They communicate well, they anticipate each other’s moves, and they genuinely play for one another. That kind of cohesion can’t be coached overnight, and it’s often what separates teams still ‘figuring it out’ from teams ready to make a real run.”

Other players who will look to contribute to the team include senior Vanessa Reyes, juniors Janessa Gomez and Whitney Richards, and sophomore Dani Elmer. Reyes and Gomez add speed on the bases, making them valuable assets to the Lakers’ offensive game. Richards brings experience at first base, strengthening the team’s defense and leadership. Elmer, who appeared in 23 games as a freshman, is expected to continue her development and contribute significantly this season.

“Put all that together, depth, experience, and chemistry, and you’ve got a team that’s built not just to compete in the region, but to push deep into it,” Coach Hernandez said.” There’s also a noticeable accountability. The players are holding themselves and each other to a higher standard because they understand everyone’s effort impacts the group. Practices have more purpose, communication is sharper, and the energy stays consistent because they’re all pulling in the same direction.”

Samantha Mills

With the Chournos, Summers, and Mills trio leading a deep roster of returning contributors, Bonneville enters the spring with legitimate expectations. The Lakers believe they have the athleticism, experience, and competitive edge to challenge every team in Region 5, and they’re embracing that opportunity.

“Most importantly, they believe in why they’re doing it,” Coach Hernandez said. “That shared goal has created buy-in, trust, and resilience, and it’s giving them an edge when games get tight. When everyone understands the mission and commits to it, the response isn’t just positive, it’s powerful.”

Key losses

Kaylee McAfee (Snow College)

Peyton Johnson (graduation)

photos courtesy of James Tate