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Volleyball has long been considered, by its participants and coaches, to be a sport of momentum.

Generally, that description is reserved for the swings that can happen within a match. There's another kind of positive momentum, however, that everyone wants to have — the kind accompanying a team into the state tournament.

Desert Hills in Class 3A and Enterprise in Class 2A both roll into the state tourney Wednesday coming off big wins at the tail end of the regular season and hope to ride that wave to state championships.

The state tournament for 3A and 2A takes place Wednesday and Thursday at Utah Valley University in Orem. Each classification has 16 teams, with opening-round and quarterfinal matches being staged Wednesday. The Class 1A tourney will also be held at UVU, but on Friday and Saturday.

Hurricane is the defending state champ in Class 3A, and is part of a contingent of strong teams from Region 9 that will vie for top honors.

The strongest momentum of the group belongs, at least for now, to No. 1 Desert Hills after the Thunder knocked off previous top-ranked Snow Canyon in a surprise sweep a week ago.

"The region is always tough, it's always a battle," said Desert Hills coach Jill Swaney. "That was our turning point. Our team stepped up and played the way [in games that] they play in practice."

The Thunder are paced by the play of senior outside hitter Alex Garret, and got a big boost this season via the return of senior Olivia Lovett to the squad. Leavitt, a standout in the heptathlon who is being recruited for that by several schools, last played volleyball as a freshman before this season.

Snow Canyon, meanwhile, is paced by junior Alexsa "Crash" Parker, a dynamic 5-foot-9 outside hitter that has averaged 16 kills in best-of-five matches. For Hurricane, 6-1 senior Rachel Nielsen has been similarly productive for the Tigers. During one five-set loss to Desert Hills, Nielson put down 33 kills.

One non-Region 9 team that is fully equipped to run the gauntlet to a state 3A title is second-ranked Morgan.

With good size across the front with left outside Jaiden Farr, middles Aubrie Saunders and Anna Cox, and right outside Jessica Carter, the Trojans own victories over the current No. 2 teams in both 5A (Lone Peak) and 4A (Skyline) this season.

"They've got some nice players, and Liz Wiscombe is one of the best coaches around," Swaney said. "We look forward to playing Morgan."

In Class 2A, junior Sidney Springer leads the attack for top-rated Delta, but the Rabbits aren't heading into state on the high note of rival Enterprise.

That's because the defending 2A state champs knocked off Delta in a thrilling five-set match to end the regular season. The Rabbits technically got the No. 1 position out of Region 13, but it's Enterprise that has the momentum.

"It gives us some good confidence. There are a lot of good teams though. I think it's stronger this year [overall] than last year," said Wolves coach Brian Phelps, whose team is led by Idaho State-bound Riley Lyman — a hitter who's averaging more than 25 kills over her last three matches.

Although San Juan fell to South Sevier at the tail end of the season, and relinquished the No. 1 spot in Region 15, keep an eye on the Broncos to contend if senior Tatiana Su'e Su'e is able to return fully from injury.

In Class 1A, St. Joseph is the defending state champ and did win Region 18. But the Jayhawks suffered a late-season loss to Intermountain Christian and will try to get back on track with a first-round game on Friday.

The 1A state trophy may ultimately come down to Region 20 rivals Panguitch and Piute, while scrappy Monticello could also contend for top honors.

Panguitch, the top-ranked school in 1A, only has one blemish on its record, and it was in a best-of-three match at the Sevier Valley tournament. Otherwise, the tall Bobcats have mostly rolled through opponents behind the hitting of 6-1 senior Darri Frandsen, 6-0 junior Chesney Campbell and 5-11 junior Taylor Bennett.

Last week, Panguitch rolled to an easy state team title in cross country behind an individual first-place from Whitney Orton. The 5-6 junior is also a key hitter for the 'Cats volleyball team, and is just the tip of the iceberg in that regard.

"I have six girls who run cross-country and they would like to get that second state title [this fall]," said Panguitch coach Cherri Frandsen. "Most of our girls our four-season athletes. The ones that only do three, they're cheerleaders [during basketball]." —

Prep volleyball schedule

At Utah Valley University, UCCU Center

Class 3A

Wednesday

First round

• Payson vs. Union, 3:30 p.m.

• Snow Canyon vs. Grantsville, 3:30 p.m.

• Tooele vs. Dixie, 3:30 p.m.

• Park City vs. Carbon, 3:30 p.m.

• Desert Hills vs. Bear River, 5 p.m.

• North Sanpete vs. Uintah, 5 p.m.

• Morgan vs. Richfield, 5 p.m.

• Stansbury vs. Hurricane, 5 p.m.

Quarterfinals • Teams TBD, 6:30 p.m., 8 p.m.

Thursday

Semifinals • Teams TBD, 10:30 a.m., 12:30pm

Championship • Teams TBD, 8 p.m.

Class 2A

Wednesday

First round

• South Summit vs. Maeser Prep, 9 a.m.

• Delta vs. North Sevier, 9 a.m.

• South Sevier vs. Millard, 9 a.m.

• Waterford vs. American Leadership, 9 a.m.

• Enterprise vs. Emery, 10:30 a.m.

• North Summit vs. Layton Christian, 10:30 a.m.

• Rowland Hall vs. Manti, 10:30 a.m.

• San Juan vs. Kanab, 10:30 a.m.

Quarterfinals • Teams TBD, noon, 1:30 p.m.

Thursday

Semifinals • Teams TBD, 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m.

Championship • Teams TBD, 5:30 p.m.

Class 1A

Friday

First round

• Monticello vs. Valley, 12:30 p.m.

• Duchesne vs. Wendover, 12:30 p.m.

• Intermountain Christian vs. Altamont, 12:30 p.m.

• Panguitch vs. Green River/Dugway, 12:30 p.m.

• St. Joseph's vs. Tabiona/Wayne, 2 p.m.

• Piute vs. Whitehorse, 2 p.m.

• Monument Valley vs. Milford, 2 p.m.

• Rich vs. Tintic/Bryce Valley, 2 p.m.

Quarterfinals • Teams TBD, 3:30 p.m., 5 p.m.

Saturday

Semifinals • Teams TBD, 10:30 a.m.

Championship • Teams TBD, 3 p.m.