Sometimes, Snow Canyon feels out of the loop playing down in St. George. The Warriors don't know what's going on with the rest of Class 4A volleyball. They don't know who could be contenders come tournament time and what weapons certain teams have.

But there are advantages to it, too.

"We don't see how they play and they're not seeing us play," Snow Canyon coach Alaina Parker said. "We just need to take care of ourselves."

That approach has helped the Warriors win three consecutive state titles and Snow Canyon is going for its fourth this weekend at Utah Valley University. The Class 4A and 5A tournament starts today in Orem.

Snow Canyon is the clear favorite heading into the playoffs but there a handful of other 4A teams that will make a four-peat difficult for the Warriors.

Spanish Fork has some big hitters in Erin Redd and Kylie Schofield. They are the No. 1 seed from Region 8. Springville, also from Region 8, will be a formidable opponent. The Red Devils have a tough first-round match up against Dixie, a team that has players who have experience going to the state championship match.

Olympus will be a strong team as the Titans are led by Maline Vaitai and Highland, the top seed from Region 6, has a young setter but very seasoned hitters in Niki Lolohea, Prasella Matemate, Kave Leaatoa and Beauty Tuakalau.

The 5A field should be just as strong. Just like the Class 4A classification, there is a frontrunner.

Pleasant Grove has dominated the rankings all season and been almost unstoppable against in-state competition. The Vikings are stacked with Danica Mendivil, who will play at Arizona State next season, Jen Hamson and Kim Dahl. Setters Kemi McFarland and Rae Mulitalo are experienced in leading the offense.

"I'm proud of how we practiced this week and I think we're ready," Pleasant Grove coach Jamie Schapper said. "But we're not overlooking anybody because there are a lot of very talented teams across the state."

The Vikings will have plenty of motivation to win a state title this year as a championship slipped through their fingers last season. That match went to Lone Peak, its second straight state title. Even though Lone Peak is young, the Knights should not be counted out. They will play a tough Taylorsville team in the first round.

Region 2 will be well-represented. Hunter, Skyline and Cottonwood all battled it out during region play and will be dangerous in the tournament. Bingham won the Region 3 title and Region 1 was very close Behind the strong play of hitters Candace Clifford and Kelsey Cate, along with three-year setter Sierra Hansen, Northridge took the top seed from that region.

"We have good team chemistry and defensively, our libero does a great job for us," Northridge coach Shauna Haney said. "It was a competitive region and it prepared us."