At least, that's what Pleasant Grove coach Mandi Nuttall and Lone Peak coach Deanna Meyer were thinking when they took their teams to a tournament in California and Illinois, respectively.

After a rough start to the season - star player Danika Mendivil got hurt and is out for the season - a bonding trip to California was just what the Vikings needed. They played in a tournament in La Jolla and played nationally ranked teams.

The Vikings went 4-3 and played well against 17th-ranked Mead and 33rd-ranked Vista Murietta, which took second and first, respectively.

"We had two great matches against them," Nuttall said. "The girls learned they truly are a great team and the sky is the limit for them."

Sophomore Jen Hamson had an especially good showing in the tournament. She is becoming more comfortable as an outside hitter. Nuttall made some changes and she said every player did well.

While the Vikings went west, the Knights went east to Chicago to play in one of the biggest national tournaments in the Nike Challenge.

Lone Peak also played nationally ranked teams and took second place in the Silver Division.

Lacey Cramer looked good in the tournament and was a reliable hitter. She is recovering from a knee injury that she sustained at the Rocky Mountain Classic tournament.

mthach@sltrib.com

1. Lone Peak (18-1)

Played in Nike Challenge

2. Fremont (11-5)

Nish and Palaez doing the job

3. Skyline (16-5)

Region 2 leader

1. Highland (7-0)

Took down Cottonwood

2. Cottonwood (19-4)

Bounced back, swept Granger

3. Box Elder (21-3)

Still going strong in Region 5

1. Morgan (10-3)

Garfield: 21 kills in a match

2. Carbon (15-5)

Coasting through Region 8

3. Hurricane (15-3)

Womped on Cedar City

1. Richfield (8-2)

Hitting its stride

2. North Sevier (6-2)

Beat San Juan

2. San Juan (7-5)

Needs rebound from tough loss

1. Rich (5-0)

Not much can stand in its way

2. Panguitch (7-0)

Piute is on their heels

3. Piute (6-3)

Crushed Wayne in three