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At first glance, it might seem that the Class 5A state volleyball tournament bracket leans to one side.

Four teams from the top five are all on one side of the draw. The big beneficiary, therefore, in the other half is none other than defending state champion Pleasant Grove.

But Vikings coach Allyce Jones is quick to point out that her squad's potential road isn't easy.

"State's always a challenge," said Jones, whose team is ranked third entering the postseason. "It doesn't matter who your opponent is. It's a different atmosphere. Every match is a tough match."

The Class 4A tournament begins Thursday at Utah Valley University in Orem, with opening round matches at 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. The quarterfinal round begins with two matches at 6 p.m. and the other two at 7:30 p.m.

Class 5A's state tourney follows on Friday, and both classifications will conclude with semifinals and championships on Saturday.

Pleasant Grove, led by outside hitter Bailey Nixon, had rolled through tough a tough Region 4 slate before losing in a sweep at Lone Peak in its penultimate match of the regular-season campaign.

Jones, whose team's toughest roadblock to the championship match might be Taylorsville or Davis. thinks that late loss might be a good thing for the Vikings.

"Lone Peak played well, but we had 13 service errors, and that's too much for only three sets," Jones said. "It has definitely driven our girls to do better."

Meanwhile, No. 1 Bingham and No. 2 Lone Peak will battle it out in the other half of the bracket. Both could be in for tough challenges just to stay in championship contention at the end of the first day, as Region 1 champ Fremont (ranked fifth) and No. 4 Lehi are also on the same side of the draw.

Bingham, paced by outside hitter Torre Glasker, ran through Region 3 undefeated while Fremont won its region behind hitters Whitney Wray and Madeline Vigil.

Lone Peak is dangerous behind outside hitter Emily Lewis, but the Knights have lately begun to develop other weapons on the front row, while Lehi has struggled in the last half of the region schedule but is still dangerous with outside hitter Rylin Roberts.

In the 4A draw, top-ranked Timpview is the defending champion and is primed for a repeat behind twins Lacy and Lyndie Haddock.

"I think you've definitely got to give that [favorite status] to Timpview, because they've been there, done that," Bountiful coach Lane Herrick said.

Herrick's Braves, winners of Region 6 and ranked fourth, will have to be checked before the Thunderbirds get through Day 1. Bountiful has height at the net and kill attempts will come from outsides Kennedy Redding, Ally Packard, McCall Asay and others.

"Sky View is good and Skyline is also tough," Herrick said in adding to his short-list of favorites. "But I wouldn't be surprised to see someone from our region step up and make a run."

Judge Memorial, one of Bountiful's fellow Region 6 members, will have a chance to make just such an impact right away as it plays No. 5 Springville in an opening-round match.

Balanced No. 2 Skyline takes on Bonneville in its first match, with the Springville/Bountiful winner looming in the quarterfinals.

Third-ranked Sky View, meanwhile opens against Timpanogos in action Thursday, with Clearfield and Salem Hills squaring off in the match opposite of Sky View/Timpanogos. —

Prep volleyball schedules

All matches at Utah Valley University

Class 4A

Thursday

• Judge at Springville, 3 p.m.

• Skyline vs. Bonneville, 3 p.m.

• Sky View vs. Orem, 3 p.m.

• Salem Hills vs. Clearfield, 3 p.m.

• Mountain Crest vs. Timpanogos, 4:30 p.m.

• Timpview vs. Woods Cross, 4:30 p.m.

Quarterfinals • 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Class 5A

Friday

• Lone Peak vs. Granger, 9 a.m.

• Fremont vs. Jordan, 9 a.m.

• Bingham vs. Syracuse, 9 a.m.

• Cottonwood vs. Lehi, 9 a.m.

• Davis vs. Jordan, 10:30 a.m.

• Pleasant Grove vs. West, 10:30 a.m.

• Taylorsville vs. Riverton, 10:30 a.m.

• Alta vs. Northridge, 10:30 a.m.

Quarterfinals • Noon and 1:30 p.m.