In Class 5A, there was Region 4's Pleasant Grove and Lone Peak.

Then there was everybody else.

The Vikings and Knights distinguished themselves early. They were the only nationally ranked Utah teams, according to prepvolleyball.com. Pleasant Grove dominated in-state competition and had an undefeated season - until it met up with region rival Lone Peak. The Vikings had a 22-0 record before facing Lone Peak on Oct. 14 but the Knights found a way to avenge their earlier loss and beat them in five games.

That's when the things started to shift in Class 5A volleyball. Pleasant Grove had been the top-ranked team up until then, but Lone Peak claimed that spot after its win and stayed there until the end of the season.

Inevitably and fittingly, the two teams faced each other again in the state title match.

"The competition was really good. I wouldn't have it any other way," said Lone Peak libero Anna Burgess, this year's 5A MVP. "It really humbled us when they beat us. It made us think, 'Are we working harder than any other team in the state?' It definitely pushed us."

Class 4A was more balanced. But as Region 9 teams - Hurricane, Dixie and Snow Canyon - showed, the best volleyball may be played in southern Utah. Hurricane beat Carbon for the Class 3A title and like the last two seasons, Dixie and Snow Canyon were the two teams left playing for a state championship. Snow Canyon repeated, even though the Warriors graduated most of last year's championship team.

"Absolutely, [the best volleyball] is played down here," said Hurricane coach Daniel McKeehan. "The secret is, it's a number of things. It's good coaching, good players, supportive parents, great administrators and a lot of luck. I think the best volleyball, top to bottom, is down south."

Panguitch can be included in that argument. The Bobcats had another strong showing in the state tournament despite having a young team. Panguitch was led by middle blocker Kalani Norris, who helped guide Panguitch back to the state championship game, where it met up with Rich.

The Bobcats were able to overcome the powerhouse program last year but the Rebels reclaimed their dominance in the state tournament and won their 16th championship in school history.

"I wanted to get it back for our coach," said Rich's Allie Eastman, who is the Class 1A MVP. "She's done so much [for the program]."

Class 2A was again dominated by Region 12. Region rivals and cross-town foes Richfield and South Sevier played for the state championship.

The Rams made the state title match much more competitive than the region matches, but the Wildcats capped off a successful season with a 2A title.

mthach@sltrib.com