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Morgan • On the afternoon before the Class 3A volleyball tournament begins, Morgan coach Liz Wiscombe is reluctant to talk about the Trojans ranking as the 11th best team in the country (via MaxPreps) or her team's perfect record.

She's also not keen about looking to a potential state title matchup with defending champion Snow Canyon, a team that beat Morgan in five sets to win the title a year ago and features returning Tribune MVP Alexsa "Crash" Parker.

The focus is on Park City, the team the Trojans open with Wednesday when the tournament begins at Utah Valley University.

"Our toughest competition is the first game we play," said Wiscombe, whose team is 28-0 this season with wins against 5A powers such as Bingham, Lehi and Lone Peak and has lost only three sets. "We never talk about Snow Canyon or Desert Hills. Right now, we're just looking at Park City."

As for the national ranking, the veteran coach of 28 years at a school located in one of the prettiest valleys in northern Utah just shrugs.

"How do you know?" she asks. "There are some very good teams. We go to California every other year and play teams down there. We hold our own. … I am not worried about the ranking or the state championship. That is not our focus."

There is little doubt that Wiscombe has built a power out of the school in a farming and ranching community. Her teams have won 15 state titles.

But she always wants one more.

"There is never enough," she said. "We are always one short of our goal. I'm from Nevada and this is like playing the slots. You want one more pull for the jackpot."

Watching the Trojans in their last practice before state, several things become obvious. They are tall, they like each other and there is a passion for the sport.

Most of these players began the sport in fifth grade and many play year-round, including on club teams. Wiscombe has made the program fun so that students from younger grades get excited about the sport.

The team, which features three players with Division I scholarships, seems to take its motto of "respect all, fear none" seriously.

Aubrey Saunders, a 6-foot senior headed to Weber State next year, said the ranking is fun and admits the team talks about it.

"We understand it's just a number, but no matter what we are ranked, it's not going to win it."

Jaiden Farr, a 6-foot-1 star who has signed with Pepperdine, admits that there is pressure on the Trojans.

"If we do our thing and play as a team all together, we don't feel the pressure as much when we get on the court," she said. "All of us have been playing together since fifth or sixth grade. Now it's all coming together. We have the same mindset and goal in our minds. We just worry about the game at hand."

Senior Kennedy Wortman, who is headed to West Point, said she is beyond excited to play in her last state tournament.

"We know we have targets on our backs," she said. "We are going to play every game like it's our last. We can't overlook anyone."

The community has adopted the team. At a recent "pink night" to raise money for cancer, the gym was nearly full and $9,400 was raised.

Wiscombe said when she goes to the store, people want to talk to her about her team. Older folks in town can't wait for the state volleyball tournament to begin so they can head to Utah County. She said she gets regular texts from tellers at the First Bank of Morgan offering support.

"I couldn't ask for better support from the community," she said.

Though proud of her team and the way it has bonded, Wiscombe remains committed to keeping grounded. The focus is on that first-round matchup with Park City. National rankings and a 16th state title will take care of themselves if Morgan's talented team keeps winning.

Twitter: @tribtomwharton —

3A volleyball schedule

At UCCU Center, Orem

First round

Wednesday, 4 p.m.

• Logan vs. Tooele

• North Sanpete vs. Pine View

• Snow Canyon vs. Canyon View

• Stansbury vs. Juan Diego

Wednesday, 5:30 p.m.

• Desert Hills vs. Richfield

• Union vs. Bear River

• Morgan vs. Park City

• Carbon vs. Dixie

Quarterfinals

• Wednesday, 7 p.m., 8:30 p.m.

Semifinals

• Thursday, 11:30 a.m.

Finals

• Thursday, 5 p.m.