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Orem • The Park City Miners came into Wednesday with every intention of making their trip to Utah Valley University a quick vacation that included an overnight stay and some perks — like the school's first ever berth into the semifinal round of a state volleyball tournament.

"This is history for us. First time ever," said second-year Park City coach Matthew Carlson. "Yeah, we're going to spend the night here. We figured we might as well go for gold this time around."

Park City (22-9) earned its spot in the Class 3A semis by sweeping Ridgeline 25-10, 25-12, 25-14 as sophomore Grace Wiczek tallied 15 kills.

But the Miners may well have taken their status to the next level in the opening match of the day by beating Snow Canyon. Although Park City had beaten the Warriors earlier this season, Snow Canyon had reached the past two 3A state championships, winning it all in 2014.

"We went into it like it was any other game this year. I feel like we really came out playing our own game — not thinking how they had been to the state finals," said Wiczek of the 25-12, 25-11, 26-24 win.

"It's real exciting and fun to see how the program has gone," she added. "[Carlson] has just made sure that everyone has been on the same page from the very beginning."

Desert Hills (21-7) will play Park City in a 12:30 p.m. semifinal Thursday in Orem.

Second-ranked Thunder disposed of Juan Diego 25-11, 25-7, 25-9 in the quarterfinals after sweeping Tooele 25-10, 25-16, 25-21 in the opening round.

Top-ranked Morgan also advanced. The Trojans eliminated No. 5 Dixie 25-18, 25-14, 16-25, 25-17 in the quarterfinals.

The pins-and-needles match of the opening day was the last contest as Union beat North Sanpete 26-24, 17-25, 24-26, 25-23, 15-13 behind 14 kills from Chezney Nielsen and 13 from Carly Blake.

Third-ranked North Sanpete (25-4) led 11-8 in the final set before Union rallied for five consecutive points — including a pair of aces from Savannah Hartle.

A kill from Mariah Hafen brought the Hawks within 14-13, then the Cougars earned the match victory on the next point when an attempted kill by Shelby Ison sailed long.

"I had faith — lots of faith," sophomore outside hitter Blake said. "It was a little scary, but the whole time I just knew we would come back and beat them. We're that kind of team."

Union will play Morgan in the other semifinal. The winners of the two semifinals will play for the state championship at 6 p.m. _

Class 3A state volleyball

Opening Round

Juan Diego def. Richfield 25-23, 21-25, 25-23, 25-20

Desert Hills def. Tooele 25-10, 25-16, 25-21

Ridgeline def. Juab 25-18, 25-15, 22-25, 25-22

Park City def. Snow Canyon 25-12, 25-11,26-24

Dixie def. Stansbury 25-17, 20-25, 25-21, 25-9

Union def. Pine View 25-22, 25-20, 18-25, 25-23

North Sanpete def. Logan 25-17, 25-12, 25-22

Morgan def. Canyon View 25-11, 25-11, 25-17

Quarterfinals

Park City def. Ridgeline 25-10, 25-12, 25-14

Desert Hills def. Juan Diego 25-11, 25-7, 25-9

Morgan def. Dixie 25-18, 25-14, 16-25, 25-17

Union def. North Sanpete 26-24, 17-25, 24-26, 25-23, 15-13

Thursday's schedule

UCCU Center, Utah Valley University

Semifinals

Desert Hills vs. Park City, 12:30 p.m.

Morgan vs. Union, 12:30 p.m.

Championship

Semifinal winners, 6 p.m.