Prep volleyball: Reigning champs enter state tourney on roll

Prep volleyball • The state tournament is Thursday through Saturday.
This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated.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.

The reigning state champions in classes 3A, 2A and 1A all finished region play undefeated this season.

But that doesn't mean you should start pencilling in Morgan, Richfield and Monticello as repeat champions, because competitive fields will provide challenges when the state volleyball tournament for those three classes begins Thursday at Utah Valley University.

Morgan (19-4, 12-0 Region 11) returned as the favorite in Class 3A. Not only are the Trojans the two-time defending champs, they also lost just two matches to in-state competition, falling to Brighton and Lone Peak.

But Judge Memorial (28-2, 10-0 Region 10) and Desert Hills (24-5, 11-1 Region 9) have been similarly dominant. Juan Diego (21-7, 8-2 Region 10), Snow Canyon (17-6, 9-2 Region 10) and Delta (14-8, 9-1 Region 12) are also contenders for the title.

"I think this year is probably the first year that any team has a chance to win it," Judge coach Matt Carlson said. "It really just depends who shows up for the tournament."

Richfield (23-5, 8-0 Region 15) and Enterprise (28-3, 7-1 Region 13) are considered the top teams in Class 2A, and the bracket layout leaves open the possibility they'll meet in the championship. The Wildcats return five players who earned significant playing time on last year's title-winning team, including last season's Class 2A MVP Megan Bean and all-state honorees Sammi Beck and Sloane Roundy.

Still, Richfield coach Brett Beagley knows his team's path to a repeat is fraught with difficulty.

"Just because they're back doesn't mean it all comes together," Beagley said. "I think our kids are playing really well, and they seem confident, but who knows? We know there's some competitive teams in it this year."

If Richfield does meet Enterprise in the championship, it may be the Wolves who have the upper hand. The Wolves beat the Wildcats in a five-set match earlier this season.

Class 2A teams thought to have the best chance at denying a Richfield-Enterprise matchup include North Summit (23-5, 10-0 Region 14) and Gunnison (10-4, 10-0 Region 16).

North Summit could meet Enterprise in the semifinals, while Gunnison and Richfield would face each other in the same round.

Last year's Class 1A champion Monticello (19-8, 9-0 Region 19) cruised through region play, but the Buckaroos will be challenged by Rich (25-2, 9-0 Region 21).

The Buckaroos and Rebels are on opposite ends of the bracket, which means a rematch of last year's title match is a possibility.

St. Joseph (20-2, 12-0 Region 17) and Wendover (20-6, 6-0 Region 18) also won their regions and could fit into the title picture. —

State volleyball tournament

P Thursday through Saturday

Where • At Utah Valley University, Orem

Class 1A

Thursday

Play-in

• Oakley vs. Wayne, noon

Friday

Round of 16

• St. Joseph vs. (Oakley vs. Wayne winner), 8 a.m.

• Rich vs. Escalante, 8 a.m.

• Green River vs. Panguitch, 9:30 a.m.

• Wendover vs. Monument Valley, 9:30 a.m.

• Monticello vs. Milford, 11 a.m.

• Piute vs. Intermountain Christian, 11 a.m.

• Layton Christian vs. Duchesne, 12:30 p.m.

• Tintic vs. Manila, 12:30 p.m.

Quarterfinals

2 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 5 p.m.

Saturday

Semifinals

10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

Championship

5:30 p.m.

Class 2A

Thursday

Round of 16

• South Sevier vs. North Sevier, 3 p.m.

• Enterprise vs. Waterford, 3 p.m.

• Rowland Hall vs. Beaver, 3 p.m.

• Grand vs. Gunnison, 3 p.m.

• North Summit vs. Kanab, 4:30 p.m.

• Manti vs. San Juan, 4:30 p.m.

• Richfield vs. American Leadership, 4:30 p.m.

• Millard vs. South Summit, 4:30 p.m.

Quarterfinals

6:15 p.m. and 7:15 p.m.

Friday

Semifinals

2 p.m.

Championship

7 p.m.

Class 3A

Friday

Round of 16

• Stansbury vs. Uintah, 8 a.m.

• Juan Diego vs. Tooele, 8 a.m.

• Delta vs. Hurricane, 9:30 a.m.

• Desert Hills vs. Payson, 9:30 a.m.

• Snow Canyon vs. Spanish Fork, 11 a.m.

• North Sanpete vs. Dixie, 11 a.m.

• Judge vs. Grantsville, 12:30 p.m.

• Morgan vs. Park City, 12:30 p.m.

Quarterfinals

2 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Saturday

Semifinals

10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

Championship

8 p.m.